Prime Minister Flags Off “RUN FOR RIO” in New Delhi
The Prime Minister also released a publication of SAI on “Indian Olympics Journey,” which carries interesting information on country’s Olympics achievements and preparations for the future. Prior to the flagging off, Shri Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of the Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand in National stadium.
The RUN FOR RIO was organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to connect public at large, especially children and youth, with the Olympic spirit and power of sports. India is sending its largest ever contingent of 119 athletes to participate in the Rio Games.
Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel in his speech thanked the Prime Minister for accepting the invitation to flag off the RUN and said that his ministry, under the overall guidance of Shri Narendra Modi, is committed to promote Sports in the country especially in rural and far flung areas of the country. He said the Rio bound contingent comprises eighty percent athletes from rural background and the North East region of the country. He said the focus would be to provide facilities and sports infrastructure to promote sports and sports persons at the grassroots level especially in indigenous and popular sports.