PM Modi Celebrates Indian Sports Achievements in Latest Address
Celebrating Indian Sports Triumphs
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone for Indian sports, commending the Indian men's cricket team for their T20 World Cup victory. He also acknowledged the remarkable accomplishments of young athletes, including squash prodigy Anahat Singh and distance runner Gulveer Singh.
Historic T20 World Cup Victory
During the 132nd episode of his monthly radio show 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi expressed the national pride stemming from India's cricket success. He stated, 'This month has been a thrilling time for cricket enthusiasts across the nation. The historic win in the T20 World Cup has brought immense joy to everyone. We take great pride in our team's outstanding achievement.'
Gulveer Singh's Record-Breaking Achievement
Shifting focus to athletics, Modi lauded Gulveer Singh for his exceptional performance at the 2026 New York City Half Marathon. The 27-year-old finished third with a remarkable time of 59:42, making him the first Indian to complete a half-marathon in under one hour. 'Gulveer Singh, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, made history recently by securing third place in this prestigious event,' Modi remarked.
Gulveer, who has earned medals at the Asian Games, boasts an impressive collection of national records across various distances, including the 3,000m track event and the 25km road race, as well as the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Anahat Singh's Squash Victory
The Prime Minister also highlighted the achievements of Anahat Singh, a teenage squash player who recently won the Squash on Fire Open 2026 in Washington. The 17-year-old showcased her talent by defeating England's top seed, Georgina Kennedy, in the final. 'Anahat Singh's victory at the Squash on Fire Open is commendable. At just 17, she has become the youngest Asian female player to enter the top 20 of the PSA World Rankings,' he noted.
Empowering Women in Sports
Modi emphasized the increasing involvement of women in sports, referencing the ASMITA Athletics League organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This initiative, held across 250 locations on International Women's Day, saw significant participation from young female athletes.
'I have received updates about the Asmita Athletics League. On March 8th, a wide range of sporting events took place, with around 200,000 young women participating. It is inspiring to witness India's 'Nari Shakti' (women's power) playing a crucial role in the ongoing transformation of sports in our country,' he concluded.