Uttar Pradesh CM Praises Sports Culture Growth at Basketball Event
During the inauguration of the Eastern Region Inter-University Women's Basketball competition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the advancements in India's sports culture since 2014. He highlighted the government's commitment to improving sports infrastructure, which has encouraged athletes to thrive rather than leave the country. Former Indian basketball captain Prashanti Singh discussed the promising 3x3 format, emphasizing its potential to elevate India's performance in international competitions. This event marks a significant step in promoting sports at the grassroots level and fostering a competitive spirit among young athletes.
| Jan 16, 2026, 18:02 IST
Inauguration of Women's Basketball Competition
On Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the opening ceremony of the Eastern Region Inter-University Basketball (Women) competition. During the event, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to promote a sports culture in India. Adityanath highlighted that prior to 2014, sports competitions were not prioritized in the government's agenda, leading to a lack of infrastructure that often caused talented athletes to either leave the country or feel disheartened. However, he noted that the situation has significantly improved since 2014.
Transformation in Sports Infrastructure
CM Yogi remarked that before 2014, sports and competitions were largely overlooked by the government. The absence of international-level infrastructure resulted in many promising athletes either emigrating or becoming disillusioned. He praised the new sports culture fostered by Prime Minister Modi since 2014. Recently, former captain of the Indian basketball team and Padma Shri awardee Prashanti Singh discussed the rapidly evolving 3x3 format, which could play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indian basketball. She emphasized that this format offers India a practical pathway to compete at the highest levels.
Opportunities in 3x3 Basketball Format
The Arjuna Award winner expressed optimism about the 3x3 format, stating it presents a great opportunity for India to excel in individual sports at the Olympics due to its emphasis on personal accountability. She mentioned the need to form a team of four players for the 3x3 format, suggesting that with a domestic pool of 25 to 30 players, India could cultivate world-class talent. Singh believes that this format could lead to impressive performances on the global stage.