Gujarat keen to promote sports tourism: Modi

"Sports is one of the biggest industries, with business running into trillions of dollars and Gujarat is keen to promote sports tourism by hosting maximum number of sport events," Modi said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 29th Sub-Junior National Aquatic Championship-2012 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Municipal Swimming Pool here.

"Sports is very important for human beings. We cannot imagine a society without sportsman spirit," he said.

According to him, Gujarat had done well in the last ten years in sports and won around 1,200 medals at various national competitions.

A couple of years back, the state had also made a record in Chess Championship in Ahmedabad, in which, around 20,000 people had taken part, he added.

Former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat, president of the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) and Union Minister of State for Mines Dinsha Patel, president of Gujarat Aquatic Association were present on the occasion.

While Rajkot is hosting this event for the first time, Gujarat would be hosting it after a span of 25 years. About 650 participants from 28 states will take part in 40 events.