The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today released commemorative postage stamps on the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on the occasion, he said
sports brings about a spirit of amity and belongingness among nations of the
world. May the FIFA World Cup become a bridge for connecting nations together,
he said.
Stating that India is preparing to host the under-17 FIFA World
Cup, the Prime Minister said India had a glorious history in football, and it
was at one time a prominent sport across the country. He urged the Department of
Posts to also develop a website on the history of Indian football.
Stressing on the need to inculcate the love of sports among children,
Shri Modi said – "jo khele, wo hi khile" – Sports helps in all-round development
of a child. Referring to the term "Sportsman Spirit", the Prime Minister
referred to the toil and penance of countless sportspersons across the world,
which resulted in this term getting such universal acceptance and recognition in
a positive sense. If there is no sport, how can there be sportsman spirit in
society, Shri Modi asked? He said "Sportsman Spirit" is a lubricant for the
health of the society, which is essential for it to prosper.
The Prime
Minister observed that commentary, especially radio commentary, probably played
a key role in enhancing the popularity of cricket, and the art of commentary
should be developed in other sports as well.
The function was attended
by several prominent sporting icons including K. Malleswari, Rajyavardhan Singh
Rathore, Sunil Chhetri, Sushil Kumar, Ajit Pal Singh, Chunni Goswami, Subrat
Bhattacharya, and Kirti Azad. Shri Praful Patel, President, All India Football
Federation, and Shri Anurag Thakur were also present on the occasion. Minister
for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad and
Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
also spoke on the occasion.
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