"Consider me your friend", PM Modi tells medal winners of 2014 Asian Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday felicitated the medal winners of the recently concluded 2014 Asian Games, which took place in Incheon, South Korea.

Congratulating the athletes who had brought laurels for the country at the Asian Games, Prime Minister Modi said he has a great interest in seeing India excel in sports. He expressed hope that the combination of his enthusiasm and the spirit of the sportspersons would bring good results for the nation.

Prime Minister Modi said that said no country can go forward without self-respect and pride. In this regard, he pointed out that when India's mission to Mars, the Mangalyaan successfully reached the red planet, it was the achievement of the scientists, but a matter of pride for all Indians, and it brought global recognition for India. Similarly, a sportsperson's achievements bring respect and pride for all Indians, he said.

Prime Minister Modi urged the assembled sportspersons to feel free to give their suggestions to him, and to call on him personally if they have anything specific to talk about. He said they should consider him their friend.

He appreciated the efforts made for the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan" by pugilist Mary Kom and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and said such icons had much greater visibility than a Prime Minister wielding the broom. He also said sportspersons do as much for the country as political leaders.

Prime Minister Modi further said India has a long history of sports, and a sports stadium has been discovered in the archaeological site of Dholavira near Kutch. Ancient texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata also show focus on physical activities as part of education. But we have not geared ourselves up to compete globally, so far, he said, adding that this situation is slowly changing now, as various states focus on specific sports, and are setting up sport-centric universities. The Prime Minister also said India is tieing up with other countries for development of sports.

Prime Minister Modi said that the corporate world is now coming forward to promote specific sports, and this augurs well for the future. He also said that award-winning sportspersons who can speak well, should deliver talks in universities, as this will prove inspirational for youth.

Reminding the gathering that a mistake by one sportsperson can bring bad name to the country, he also urged sportspersons to be cautious about their conduct.