PM Modi Urge the Nation to Cheer for Olympic Bound Indian Athletes, Rijiju Unveils Ceremonial and playing Kit of Team India for Tokyo

Kiren Rijiju informed that sports-loving Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took the review meeting and saw the hard work of athletes. He urged the nation to cheer for athletes. It shows the intention of the Government.

• Olympic bound athletes Neeraj Chopra, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Kumar, Deepak Punia, Sumit and Seema Bisla were present for the ceremony and all of them were given mementos by Kiren Rijiju.
• Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, Indian Olympic Association, did not forget to remind athletes, “we have given you a gold medal as a memento to inspire you to come back with a gold medal.”

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, President Indian Olympic Association Narinder Dhruv Batra and Secretary General Rajeev Mehta with Top Sportspersons during the unveiling of sports and ceremonial dress for the Indian contingent that will participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

Rakesh Thapliyal

Editor-in-Chief

NEW DELHI: TO CELEBRATE ’50 days to go for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games’ intend was to make it big but because of pandemic situation, the event was short and without much fanfare, Though in 2016 Bollywood superstar Salman Khan came to give Best wishes to our Rio Olympic bound athletes in a function organized at IOA headquarters in New Delhi. He was a goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent.

Today a renowned Bollywood playback singer and composer Mohit Chauhan was invited. He sang an Olympic-themed song to inspire the Indian athletes at the function held at Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju’s residence. Olympic bound athletes Neeraj Chopra, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Kumar, Deepak Punia, Sumit and Seema Bisla were present for the ceremony and all of them were given mementos by Kiren Rijiju. Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, President of the Indian Olympic Association, did not forget to remind them, “we have given you a gold medal as a memento to inspire you to come back with a gold medal.”

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports,  Sports Authority of India and Indian Olympic Association came together and unveiled an impressive ceremonial and official sports attire for the Indian contingent that will participate in the XXXII  Olympic Games scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8,  2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
The official kit of Team India was unveiled today by the Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Kiren Rijiju in the presence of IOA President, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra and Secretary General  Rajeev Mehta.

The unveiling of the Sports kits for Team India coincides with the Remembrance Day of the visionary first President of the Indian Olympic Association – Sir Dorabji Tata, which is of great significance to the organisation and the team.We are sending one of the best Indian teams till date which comprises many young and experienced talent, including fencer C. A. Bhavani Devi who is set to represent the country for the first time in Fencing sport, in the history of the Games. All the athletes are training hard and are motivated for the Tokyo Olympics. – Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, IOA

Gracing the ceremony as the Chief guest Kiren Rijiju said, “We are just 50 days away from the Tokyo Olympic
Games. Now every day, every second count. The launch of the official kit of the Indian Olympic team is an important aspect and it is very significant that it is being launched on this day. I am happy to say that our athletes are well prepared for the biggest sporting event and as our Honourable Prime Minister has said, the entire country must rally behind our athletes so that they are motivated to give their best at Tokyo. I urge every Indian to cheer for the Indian squad.”

Rijiju also informed that sports-loving Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took the review meeting and saw the hard work of athletes and urged the nation to cheer for athletes. He further said, “It shows the intention of the Government.”

Rijiju also praised all the stakeholders involved in the preparation process of providing all the facilities to athletes. People have told me that after many years the ministry, IOA, SAI, all the cells, and the CEO of TOPS all have worked together as Team India,” he said.

The official styling partner – Raymond will deliver the ceremonial kits and the official sports apparel partner – Li-Ning will supply the sports attire, including the travel and playing kits for the athletes heading to Tokyo. Li-Ning designed the official sports kit
inspired by India’s national colors and integrated unique graphics to emote the energy and pride of the Indian Olympic Team. The designs of the official kits were curated by the Indian Olympic Association with a helping hand and support from designer Ms. Iditri Goel.

Dr. Batra congratulated all the athletes who had earned a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games and expressed his confidence that the Indian athletes will make the nation proud as they shine and fly the tricolor high at the Tokyo Games.

India will send a strong contingent to the Tokyo Olympic Games and so far, around 100 athletes from 11 sports including Boxing, Hockey, Wrestling, Yachting, Athletics, Archery, Equestrian, Fencing, Rowing, Shooting and Table Tennis have qualified, with athletes from more disciplines expected to qualify further.

Dr. Batra said, “we are expecting that 125 to 135 athletes will qualify in 16 to 18 sports. With the inclusion of officials, this count will go up to 200.”

Offering a vote of thanks at the event, IOA Secretary General, Rajeev Mehta said, “I’m grateful to Shri Kiren Rijiju ji for unveiling the ceremonial and playing apparel of Team India heading to the Tokyo Olympic Games next month. The unveiling of the Sports kits for Team India coincides with the Remembrance Day of the visionary first President of the Indian Olympic Association – Sir Dorabji Tata, which is of great significance to the organization and the team. He also added, “We are sending one of the best Indian teams till date which comprises many young and experienced talent, including fencer C. A. Bhavani Devi who is set to represent the country for the first
time in Fencing sport, in the history of the Games. All the athletes are training hard and are motivated for the Tokyo Olympics and I’m hopeful that our athletes will excel at the Games and will bring laurels for our country”.
The event was also attended by Mr. Ravi Mital, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sandip Pradhan, Director General, Sports Authority of India, Chef de Mission of the Indian Contingent Mr. B. P. Baishya, Member of Parliament and Deputy Chef de Mission Dr. Prem Chand Verma.

Rashesh Shah, Chairman & CEO, Edelweiss Group said, “Olympics stands for endurance, excellence, long-haul training and hard work, values that strongly resonate with us at Edelweiss. As the world tackles an unprecedented pandemic challenge, the Tokyo Olympics will remind us of the values of resilience, perseverance and compassion in a whole new way. We are honoured and privileged to be able to support India’s Olympic dream with IOA and look forward to the Indian contingent scaling new
heights in Tokyo.”

Edelweiss is the Principal Sponsor, Inox Group is the Entertainment partner and Nippon Paint is the associate sponsor of IOA for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Celebrated Bollywood Playback singer and composer, Mohit Chauhan closed the evening on a fantastic note as he presented an awe-inspiring Olympic themed song, dedicated to the Indian athletes heading to the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, the Tokyo 2020
Olympic Games.