Must adopt culture where sports is appreciated, supported: PM Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on countrymen to adopt a culture where sports is appreciated and supported.

Speaking at a gathering after the inauguration of TransStadia Arena, a stadium complex in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Modi said, "The determination of our sports persons is admirable. They have pursued their passion with great diligence."

"We must adopt a culture where sports is appreciated and supported. Khel Mahakumbh has brought a strong shift and further encouraged a sporting culture in Gujarat," he added.

He inaugurated the TransStadia Arena, almost eight months after the venue played host to a world sporting event.

As per reports, the Arena by TransStadia is a Rs. 550 crore project, built on a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, and is hailed as India's first convertible stadium.

"Those familiar with the area in which this stadium is will tell you how different it looked a decade ago and how it changed for the better. This stadium shows how the government and private sector can work together in creating good sporting infrastructure," said Prime Minister Modi.

Earlier, during his visit to The Arena Complex, the Prime Minister met former badminton legend and current national coach Pullela Gopichand, ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, cricketer Irfan Pathan, star Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, Paralympic silver-medalist Deepa Malik and other sportspersons.