76th session of UN General Assembly

Agenda item 12: Sport for development and peace: building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic idea

INDIA STATEMENT

by

Mr. Ashish Sharma, First Secretary

Mr. President

We welcome the emphasis that this Assembly has laid on Sport as an agent of peace and development.

Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the international community has recognized that sport is an important enabler of sustainable development.

We firmly believe that sport is an inalienable part of the educational process and a factor for promoting peace, friendship, cooperation and understanding among peoples.

In-fact, it is hard to imagine a more powerful medium, other than sports, to inspire and bring people together for a common purpose.

Swami Vivekananda, the great philosopher from India, when approached by a young man to explain the meaning of the Bhagwad Gita, is reported to have looked at his physique and advised him to first go play football.

Develop your body and mind, Swamiji told this young man, and then you will be better fit to study and understand the Gita.

Swamiji was clear that a healthy body and mind is fundamental in our quest for peace; and sports, indeed, plays a critical role towards this end.

Mr. President

Ever since the dawn of human civilization, the intrinsic linkage between sports and the human pursuit of excellence, has been recognized.

India has a long tradition of sport and physical education. Ancient Indian scriptures and literature describe the important place of sports in education. A mastery over sports was considered as important as the knowledge of scriptures.

In ancient Indian tradition, exercise, which is at the heart of sport, was considered an inseparable part of good health. An old proverb in Sanskrit mentions and I quote, व्यायामात् लभते स्वास्थ्यं दीर्घायुष्यं बलं सुखं। आरोग्यं परमं भाग्यं स्वास्थ्यं सर्वार्थसाधनम्॥, which means that exercise results in good health, long life, strength and happiness. Good health is the greatest blessing. Health is means of everything.

The education system in modern India is continuing this heritage and respect for sports and physical education.

In India, sport development is a national priority. It promotes active lifestyle, child and youth development, social inclusiveness, employment opportunities, peace and development, and above all a sense of belongingness and national pride.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports provides the policy framework and institutional support for sports related activities.

The Sports Authority of India was established by the Government in 1984 to achieve the twin objectives of broad-basing of sport and nurturing talent in children of different age groups by providing them with the necessary infrastructure, equipment, coaching and other facilities. The Sports Authority is implementing a number of Sports Promotion Schemes.

Mr. President

The “Khelo India-National Pragramme for Development of Sports” Scheme, launched in 2017, is being implemented across the country for infusing sports culture and to encourage sports all over the country. This scheme has one major vertical- “Sports for Peace and Development”.

Under this vertical, sports activities and competitions are organized at village, block and district level in various States. Particular emphasis has been laid on development of women through sports by including it as a special vertical of Khelo India Scheme. Various tournaments have been organized to promote participation of girls and women in sports.

The Government has also undertaken activities to promotes traditional sports such as Malla-khamb, Thang-Ta, Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, among others.

The Government of India launched FIT India Movement in August 2019 to encourage people to remain healthy and fit by including physical activities and sports in their daily lives. Under this movement, the Government organizes various programmes throughout the country with an aim to bring about behavioural changes and move towards a more physically active lifestyle.

Associating sporting personalities with the UN, with the objective of creating public awareness about education, health and development issues, and promoting tolerance, understanding and peace within and between communities and cultures, is praiseworthy. Several Indian sports personalities have associated with UN entities to promote peace and protection of environment.

India firmly believes that sports activity is integral to the all-round development of the human personality. We support efforts by the UN system to generate awareness among the Youth through such initiatives.

It must be our endeavour to promote sports and a culture of sports in our countries. This can only contribute in promoting development, peace, friendship, cooperation and understanding among peoples.

I thank you.