Vijay Goel flags off eighth Slum Yuva Daud

Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Saturday flagged off the eighth Slum Yuva Daud with Ramesh Bidhuri (MP), Babul Supriyo (MoS Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise) and ace basketball players Divya, Prashanti, Akanksha and Pratima (prominently known as Singh Sisters).

Today's marathon started from Qutub Minar and ended at Govt. Boys & Girls School playground, Mehrauli. More than 3000 youth from Delhi slums participated and cheered by Supriyo with songs before the marathon.

Addressing the participants, Goel said, "This is not just any other run but we are running for a better tomorrow, a New India where each youngster utilizes his/her skills for nation building. MP Ramesh Bidhuri appreciated the Sports Ministry's initiative and encouraged the kids to participate wholeheartedly."

The Singh Sisters urged the youth to participate in sporting activities and promote healthy living and cited sports and youth as two pillars of India's greatness. Babul Supriyo gave a thumbs-up to the Sports Ministry's initiative of Slum Yuva Daud and called it "innovative step" to tap young talent.

Goel also interacted with the participants via quiz contests, songs etc. and asked them to retain their shirts, medals and certificates as these would help them gain access to a mega program being planned with all the participants of 11Slum Runs.

The Slum Yuva Daud is part of the Adopt Slum Campaign initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan which aims at highlighting the government's pro-people schemes among masses.

Goel further stated that the 'Adopt a Slum'campaign will involve groups like NSS, public schools, RWAs, NGOs, rotary clubs etc.

Total 11 Slum Yuva Runs have been planned out of which eight have already been successful with mass participation youth from various Delhi slums.

The 9th Slum Yuva Daud is scheduled for July 16 where Piyush Goel (Power Minister), Kiren Rijiju (MoS Home Affairs) and YogeshwarDutt (Olympic medalist) at Dr. Sahib Singh Verma Park near MC Primary School (Dwarka Sec-16).