“Veer se Khelveer”: Anurag Thakur strengthening grassroots sports in Hamirpur, lauds PM Modi’s vision for sporting excellence
Empowering youth through fitness and discipline: Anurag Thakur hands over sports equipment in Nadaun, highlights India’s sporting progress globally
September 26, 2026, Nadaun:
Former Union Cabinet Minister and current MP Anurag Singh Thakur addressed a massive gathering of athletes and youth at Nadaun in Hamirpur and distributed high-quality sports equipment to 385 players to accelerate the grassroots impact of the ‘Fit India Movement’. Comparing sports equipment to weapons a soldier gets for war, Anurag Singh Thakur handed over 18 cricket kits, 11 volleyball nets, 15 volleyballs, 8 sets of volleyball poles, 3 sets of badminton rackets, 3 boxes of shuttlecocks and 2 badminton nets to enable the local talent to train effectively and compete at a higher level.
Anurag Singh Thakur praised the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a true friend and guardian of athletes who has transformed fitness and sports discipline into a broad national ethos. Underlining that a strong sports arena creates resilient citizens, Anurag Thakur emphasized the profound role of sports in building lifelong character and perseverance. He urged the energetic youth of Himachal Pradesh to showcase their traditional valor on the sports field and transform from “Veer” to “Khelveer.”
Reiterating the government’s firm commitment to sporting excellence, Thakur outlined a massive expansion of sports infrastructure and support. He noted that the national sports budget has increased from ₹1,219 crore in 2013-14 to ₹4,479.88 crore in 2026-27, and an unprecedented ₹36,441 crore has been allocated over the next five years under Khelo India to increase athlete participation tenfold. He noted that these infrastructural investments have directly translated into record-breaking global performances, including 39 medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a historic 29 medal haul at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and World Championship honors in boxing and chess. Anurag Thakur concluded by saying that India is moving decisively towards a top-10 finish in the 2036 Olympic medal tally, and the NDA Government is firmly committed to hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, while ensuring that international level sports facilities reach every district and talented youth of Himachal Pradesh.
