Sports most honest teacher of life: LG Manoj Sinha

“A healthy, fearless and sports-oriented India is the foundation of an invincible nation”

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 29 (STC): Speaking about sports being the most honest teacher of life, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the playing field never lies; rather, it tells you very clearly where you stand today and what you need to do to become better tomorrow. He further said that there are no shortcuts in sports. There is no place for excuses in the field of hockey either. Here only hard work, opportunities and your character are tested.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at a function where he paid tribute to the hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand on the occasion of National Sports Day.
Recalling his brilliant and historic performance, the Lieutenant Governor termed Major Dhyan Chand as one of the profound and enduring symbols of India, whose extraordinary abilities made the world stop and acknowledge India’s immense sporting talent.
In his address on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that every stroke of Major Dhyan Chand’s hockey stick was a symbol of discipline, dedication and determination. He stressed that sports are not just about winning medals but also a means of cultivating the spirit of perseverance, unity and nation building. “Sports are the most honest teachers of life,” he said.
“The playing field never lies; rather, it tells you very clearly where you stand today and what you need to do to become better tomorrow. There are no shortcuts in sports. There is no room for excuses on the hockey field either. Here only hard work, opportunities and your character are tested.” He said that sports create the basic strength that a society needs for nation building. Sports develop youth who know how to rise again after falling and raise the flag of victory. Sports cultivate passion and emotion that teach us to believe in collective success.
Highlighting the role of youth, the Lieutenant Governor said that sports make dreams fly. Expressing confidence in the young sportspersons of Jammu and Kashmir, he said that they represent the bright future of India. He envisioned a future where every Gram Panchayat benefits from the power of sports, where academies set up in small towns nurture talent and where farmers’ daughters get equal opportunities for scientific training as the players of Centres of Excellence set up in big cities.
LG Sinha also stressed on the importance of sports science, sports management and technical expertise in universities and institutes, which will prepare future trainers, physiotherapists and sports managers. He hoped that Jammu and Kashmir would not only participate in international sports events but would also host these events in the future and showcase its talent to the world.
The Lieutenant Governor said, “This is a commitment full of unlimited possibilities. Our achievements in sports over the last six years are proof that if the youth are prepared for sports with dedication, this region can produce a whole generation of champions. “Sinha urged the youth to play their role in building a developed India 2047.” He said that champions are not made through shortcuts but through discipline and hard work. He urged corporate bodies not to start supporting athletes only when they have won medals but to mentor and support athletes from the initial stage of talent identification. He said that the preparation of champions is the collective responsibility of society, coaches, support staff and parents.
The Lieutenant Governor, while identifying three responsibilities for the youth, exhorted them to set an example through their actions, compete with dignity, accept defeat cheerfully and become a source of inspiration for the coming generations. He asked the youth to use the unity of sports to move forward beyond the differences of language and religion. The Lieutenant Governor also appealed to the youth to give something back to the society and said that they should guide and mentor the next generation, because behind the success of every athlete, his society also supports him and the youth should repay this support by serving the society.
(Straight Talk Communications)