New Delhi : Despite the country sending a contingent of 119 athletes to the Rio Olympics this year and managing to win only two medals, a silver and a bronze, Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Saturday said that he was not upset with India’s performance at the prestigious quadrennial event.
Speaking to ANI, Goel said, “Although we won only two medals, we had some 15-20 athletes who showed immense improvement in their performances. We are not upset with our overall performance but we want to improve and promote sports culture in our country.”
“It is the prerogative of the government to promote sports in the entire nation and that’s why Prime Minister Modi has made the announcement of the task force that would be a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of our sports persons,” Goel added.
The Sports Minister said that the task force would also allow them to take suggestions from other people and then the ministry would implement those suggestions.
Prime Minister Modi yesterday announced setting up a task force to prepare an action plan for the next three Olympic Games of 2020, 2024 and 2028. The task force–which will include experts from both within the country and abroad–will prepare an overall strategy for sports facilities, training and selection of athletes for the upcoming games.
The task force will prepare the overall strategy for sports facilities, training, selection procedure and other related matters. The team will comprise of members who are in-house experts as well as those from outside.
Prime Minister Modi said that the task force will be set up over the next few days. Ace shuttler PV Sindhu’s silver and wrestler Sakshi Malik’s bronze ensured India did not return home empty handed from Rio.
A heartwarming performance by trailblazing gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who missed a medal by a whisker, was also a highlight of the prestigious games for the nation.