Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse on Wednesday visited the Weightlifting Warriors Academy in Modinagar, a premier training centre under the Khelo India Accredited Academy initiative. She was accompanied by Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma, Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) President Sahdev Yadav, and IWLF CEO Ashwani Kumar.
The Academy, established by Vijay Sharma, stands out as a modern, state-of-the-art facility nurturing young weightlifting talent under the Khelo India scheme. With cutting-edge equipment, sports science support, and a residential wing housing 60 athletes, the academy is currently training 40 budding lifters aged 8–14 alongside 15 elite athletes, including Mirabai Chanu herself.
Addressing the athletes, Khadse said, “Under ‘Khelo Bharat Niti 2025’, we are building an ecosystem that not only discovers talent but also sustains it through world-class coaching and community engagement. I have realised when women lift, the entire nation rises, and we pledge to leave no talent undiscovered and no aspiration unfulfilled.”
She praised the academy’s efforts in identifying grassroots talent and providing world-class facilities, calling such institutions central to India’s ambition of becoming a global sporting powerhouse. The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality training centres across the country.
Khadse noted that Mirabai Chanu’s presence is a powerful motivator for young athletes, embodying what can be achieved through dedication and access to the right support.
from National https://ift.tt/CopST7s