Rajnath Singh Urges UP CM to Host Next National Games in Lucknow
Lucknow, Apr 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take steps towards organising the next edition of the National Games in Lucknow, highlighting the city’s rich sporting legacy and its role in hosting India’s first National Games in 1948.
Speaking at the ‘Saansad Khel Mahakumbh’ held at KD Singh Babu Stadium, Singh, who represents Lucknow in the Lok Sabha, said, “Lucknow has always had a strong sporting culture. It was the first city to host the National Games after independence. I believe CM Yogi Adityanath ji should now make efforts to bring the next edition here.”
Emphasising India’s growing ambitions in the global sports arena, Singh said the government is actively working to bring the Olympic Games to Gujarat in 2036 and aims to host other world-class sporting events across the country.
Highlighting Lucknow’s sporting heritage, Singh recalled legendary hockey players such as KD Singh Babu, after whom the stadium is named, and Dhyan Chand, as well as Olympians like Ashok Kumar and Jamnalal Sharma. He also noted that India’s first astro turf was installed at Lucknow’s Sports College in the 1980s.
Singh reminisced about the days when the Sheeshmahal Trophy cricket tournament used to attract top Indian players to Lucknow, long before the city became a venue for IPL matches.
“Lucknow’s sports culture is not only renowned across Uttar Pradesh but also across the country and internationally. A developed Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh are integral to a developed India,” Singh added.
Quoting the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger), he encouraged the youth to participate in sports with passion and determination, adding that initiatives like the Saansad Khel Mahakumbh will shape future champions from Lucknow.
He praised the Khelo India initiative, stating that over 3,000 athletes are now receiving financial aid of ₹50,000 per month to support their training, diet, equipment, and coaching needs at around 1,000 grassroots-level centres.
Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has ushered in a new era in Indian sports, shifting the mindset from mere participation to winning. “Indian athletes are now being taken seriously across the world, thanks to sports-friendly policies by the central government and the UP administration,” he said.
Concluding his address, Singh noted the shift in societal attitudes towards sports. “Gone are the days when sports were seen as a waste of time. Today, parents aspire for their children to become stars like Leander Paes, Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, PV Sindhu, Gukesh, and Neeraj Chopra,” he said.
