**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in transforming sports into a nationwide mass movement during the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Dibrugarh. He announced targeted incentives and institutional support for emerging sportspersons from Dibrugarh. This initiative builds on sports reforms introduced since 2014, with the aim to nurture young talent and enhance sports infrastructure. The release was published by PIB Delhi on December 25, 2023, at 8:40 PM.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Sports Transformation and Government Vision:**
* Prime Minister Modi has given sports a central place in India's development by promoting fitness and athletic excellence.
* The 'Sansad Khel Mahotsav' strengthens grassroots sports and fosters community participation.
* **Incentives and Support for Dibrugarh Athletes:**
* Promising sportspersons from Dibrugarh will receive targeted assistance to improve training and performance.
* Talented athletes will be given special incentives and institutional support to compete at higher levels.
* **Sports Reforms and National Programs:**
* Since 2014, India has seen expansion of sports infrastructure, wider participation, and talent identification.
* Programs like Khelo India, Fit India, and TOPS provide structured pathways for athletes.
* **Efforts and Talent Identification:**
* Assam has aligned its efforts with the national vision through initiatives like Khel Mahotsav.
* Talent is being identified from villages, tea garden areas, and remote regions for national and international competitions.
* **Infrastructure:**
* Improved stadium infrastructure in Dibrugarh has increased parental confidence in sports.
**Impact Analysis**
**Talented Athletes from Dibrugarh**
* **Impact:** Increased opportunities and support for training and performance.
* **Action Required:** Engage with available resources and incentives to improve skills and competitiveness.
**Local Residents of Dibrugarh**
* **Impact:** Enhanced community bonds and encouragement for youth to participate in sports.
* **Action Required:** Participate in local sports initiatives and support young talents.
**Parents of Young Athletes**
* **Impact:** Increased confidence in sports as a viable career option due to improved infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Encourage and support children's participation in sports.
**Government of Assam**
* **Impact:** Alignment with national sports vision and promotion of sports culture in the state.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting and developing sports initiatives in alignment with national programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) who is promoting sports development.
Dibrugarh Khel Mahotsav: A sports festival in Dibrugarh, Assam, aimed at promoting grassroots sports.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW): The ministry of which Sarbananda Sonowal is the Union Minister.
Khelo India: A national flagship programme to promote sports at the grassroots level.
Dibrugarh: Location of the Khel Mahotsav, where targeted incentives for sportspersons are planned.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
‘PM Narendra Modi Turned Sports into a Mass
Movement’, says Sarbananda Sonowal at
Dibrugarh Khel Mahotsav
“Targeted Incentives for Emerging Sportspersons in
Dibrugarh soon:” Sarbananda Sonowal
प्रव तथ: 25 DEC 2025 8:40PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal credited Prime
Minister Narendra Modi for transforming sports from a niche pursuit into a nationwide mass movement,
following his participation in the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Dibrugarh.
Addressing athletes, students and local residents, the Dibrugarh LSC MP Sarbananda Sonowal said the
initiative reflects the Prime Minister’s larger vision of linking fitness, discipline and youth empowerment
with nation-building.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has given sports a central place in India’s development journey by
turning fitness and athletic excellence into a people’s movement,” Sarbananda Sonowal said. “I call
upon our youth and citizens to participate in building a healthy, fit and sports-oriented India, guided by the
spirit of Khelo India – Khelo Desh,” he further added.
Sarbananda Sonowal said the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ has strengthened grassroots sports by identifying
young talent early and fostering community participation. “This initiative is nurturing talent at the
grassroots, strengthening community bonds and instilling discipline, confidence and character among our
youth,” he said.
Announcing constituency-level support, Sonowal said promising sportspersons from Dibrugarh would
receive targeted assistance to improve training and performance.
“Talented athletes from Dibrugarh will be given special incentives and institutional support so they can
compete at higher levels and bring recognition to Assam and the nation,” Sonowal said.
Referring to Good Governance Day, observed on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee, Sonowal highlighted the sports reforms introduced since 2014.
“Since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India has seen unprecedented
expansion of sports infrastructure, wider participation and systematic identification of talent from every
corner of the country,” Sonowal said.
Citing national flagship programmes, Sonowal said Khelo India, Fit India and the Target Olympic Podium
Scheme (TOPS) have created structured pathways for athletes.“These initiatives have ensured world-class facilities and professional training, enabling young Indians to
pursue sports as a serious career,” he said. Sonowal added that Assam has aligned its efforts with the
national vision through initiatives such as Khel Mahotsav.
“Through Khel Mahotsav, we are identifying talent from villages, tea garden areas and remote regions,
and preparing them for national and international competitions,” Sonowal said, noting that improved
indoor and outdoor stadium infrastructure in Dibrugarh has increased parental confidence in sports as a
career option.
Prominent dignitaries present at the event included Assam Minister Prashanta Phukan, Dibrugarh
Municipal Corporation (DMC), Mayor, Deputy Mayor Ujjal Phukan, Chairman of Assam Petrochemicals
Limited (APL), Bikul Deka, BJP District President Dulal Bora, Chairman of Dibrugarh Development
Authority (DDA), Asim Hazarika, Managing Director of BVFCL Pranjal Barman, Vice Chancellor of Sri
Sri Aniruddhadeva University Prof. Narendra Nath Sarma, President of Dibrugarh District Sports
Association (DDSA) Niranjan Saikia, Secretary Kamakhya Saikia, District Commissioner of Dibrugarh,
Bikram Kairi, and other distinguished guests and citizens.****
PN/IY
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