Gorakhpur

Yogi Adityanath on Saturday credited Narendra Modi for creating a “flourishing” sports culture across India, saying the country’s growing ambitions to host major international sporting events are boosting the confidence of Indian athletes.

Speaking in Gorakhpur after laying the foundation stone for the first phase of an international cricket stadium, Adityanath said India’s plans to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 and its bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics reflect the country’s rising sporting stature.

The cricket stadium, to be built on 46 acres at a cost of Rs 393 crore, is being developed with support from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Adityanath said an additional 60 acres have been earmarked for a sports complex, with supporting commercial infrastructure including hotels, restaurants, and markets planned around the venue.

Hardeep Singh Puri was also present at the event.

Adityanath said Modi’s initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India Movement have transformed India’s sporting ecosystem and encouraged grassroots participation.

He added that under the state government’s sports infrastructure push:

• Playgrounds are being developed in villages across Uttar Pradesh
• Mini stadiums are being planned in every block
• Full-scale stadiums are being developed in every district
• Sports colleges are planned across all 18 divisions of the state

The chief minister also said the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut is set to be inaugurated during the current academic session.

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He further noted that another international cricket stadium is under development in Varanasi with support from Board of Control for Cricket in India.