By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi Cabinet Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Shri Ashish Sood met Indian weightlifting star Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on Wednesday and congratulated her on winning a historic silver medal at the Asian Games.
Chanu’s achievement marked India’s return to the Asian Games weightlifting medal podium after a gap of 28 years.
During the meeting, Sood praised Chanu for her sustained hard work and dedication and invited her to contribute to the Delhi Government’s vision for strengthening sports infrastructure and youth development in the national capital.
Sood shared the government’s plan to establish state-of-the-art Sports Centres of Excellence in Delhi and requested Chanu to partner with the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry in guiding and developing these facilities.
The Minister also invited the celebrated weightlifter to participate in round-table discussions and advisory panels aimed at formulating strategies for the overall development of sports and youth in Delhi.
Chanu currently trains in the Delhi-NCR region and runs a weightlifting academy in Ghaziabad with her coach Vijay Sharma. The academy trains around 100 young weightlifters, giving Chanu direct experience of grassroots sports development.
“Mirabai Chanu is a role model for young athletes across the nation. Her ground-level experience will be invaluable as we work towards creating world-class sports infrastructure in the national capital,” Sood said.
Chanu’s international record includes a silver medal at the Asian Games, a silver at the Olympic Games, three World Championship medals — two gold and one bronze — and four Commonwealth Games medals, including three gold and one silver.
The Delhi Government said her experience could contribute to its efforts to develop sports facilities and strategies aimed at supporting young athletes in the capital.
