Sambalpur, Dec 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sports while emphasising Sambalpur’s growing role in nurturing athletic talent.

Speaking at the at the national level closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025 here in Odisha, Pradhan echoed the Prime Minister’s message that sports are not merely about winning or losing but about learning, growth, and resilience.

ସମ୍ବଲପୁରରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ 'ସାଂସଦ ଖେଳ ମହୋତ୍ସବ'ର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ସମାପନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ କୃତି ଖେଳାଳିମାନଙ୍କୁ ପୁରସ୍କୃତ କରିବାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କଲି । ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଭର୍ଚ୍ଚୁଆଲ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ସମ୍ବୋଧନ କରି ଖେଳାଳିମାନଙ୍କୁ ଉତ୍ସାହିତ କରିଥିଲେ । ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ କହିଥିଲେ, "ଖେଳରେ ହାର୍ ଜିତ୍… pic.twitter.com/3OTZxkYKbq

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) December 25, 2025

Minister Pradhan noted that Sambalpur has emerged as a leading district in sports and expressed hope that the spirit of athletics would continue to flourish in the coming days. He welcomed the Education Department’s decision to introduce sports as a subject of study, calling it a “great honour” and a step toward integrating physical education with academics.

Prime Minister Modi, virtually addressing the finals from Junagadh, Gujarat, highlighted the strength of India’s sporting ecosystem and the role of youth in shaping the nation’s future. He interacted with players, encouraging them to strive for excellence and underscoring that India’s youth are excelling across diverse fields including startups, science, and sports.

The Sansad Khel Mahotsav, inspired by the Fit India and Khelo India visions, is a nationwide grassroots initiative organised across every Lok Sabha constituency. It aims to identify and nurture local talent while promoting fitness, discipline, and teamwork among the youth.

PM Modi described the Mahotsav as a “people’s movement,” noting participation from villages to cities and inclusion of differently-abled athletes. He stressed that opportunities in sports are now “unlimited” in India, with even children from the poorest families able to reach the pinnacle of success.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister spoke of India’s ambitions to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2036 Olympic Games, urging Members of Parliament to actively support grassroots talent. “You are competing not only for personal success but representing the pride and dignity of the Tricolour,” he told athletes.

The Mahotsav, which began on September 21, concludes today after weeks of competitions across constituencies, marking a significant milestone in India’s evolving sports culture.