Page 50 - NIS English september 01-15, 2022
P. 50
Sports Commonwealth Games 2022
PRIME MINISTER MODI KEPT HIS WORD
AFTER 16 YEARS, WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM ON THE PODIUM
After missing out on a bronze medal in a close match at
the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the Indian women's hockey
team won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth
Games 2022. Since winning gold in 2002 and silver
in 2006, the women's hockey team had struggled at While sending off the Indian contingent for
the Commonwealth Games. The unique aspect is that the Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister
India had to concede defeat in the penalty shootout Narendra Modi promised them when they
against Australia in the semi-final due to the clock returned after winning; they would celebrate
going off for a few seconds. the victory together. Keeping his promise,
Prime Minister Modi met with the players at
FOR THE FIRST TIME, A MEDAL IN WOMEN’S JAVELIN THROW his residence on August 13, saying, "It is a
She is the first Indian woman to win a medal in the matter of pride that the country is entering the
88-year history of the Commonwealth Games. Annu's Amrit Kaal of independence with an inspiring
father, Amarpal Singh, is a farmer who borrowed Rs. achievement, thanks to the stupendous hard
1.5 lakhs to buy a spear for his daughter. Initially, work of our sportspersons." In response to
shoes were purchased for Annu with donated funds the stellar performance at the Commonwealth
for practise. On the trails, she used to practise making Games, the Prime Minister stated that the
sugarcane spears. number of medals did not reflect the full
WHOSE STRUGGLE INSPIRES picture because many medals were missed
by a narrow margin, which the soon-to-be-
ACHINTA WINS GOLD IN THE 74 KG CATEGORY determined players would be able to regain
IN WEIGHTLIFTING: Achinta Sheuli, a member of in the future. India has found a new way to
TOPS' developmental group, won a gold win in four new games since last time. With
medal in weightlifting. Her struggle will this performance, the country's youth will be
inspire the players. Her father passed drawn to new sports in greater numbers. The
away in 2013. The financial crisis was debutants have won 31 medals, demonstrating
so severe that there was no money even the youth's growing confidence. PM Modi
to perform the father's rites. expressed his delight at the positive impact of
HARJINDER KAUR WON BRONZE IN THE 71KG Khelo India and TOPS and urged the athletes
WEIGHTLIFTING CATEGORY: Harjinder lives in to prepare well for the upcoming Asian Games
a one-room house with his family. and Olympics.
Harjinder runs a machine that cuts
fodder for the animals. Initially, she
borrowed in the village for practise and
competition, and then had to take a loan
of 50,000 rupees from the bank. She won a medal at We have a responsibility to build a
the Commonwealth Games. Harjinder won the state sports ecosystem that is globally
championship in 2017. outstanding, inclusive, diverse, and
SAGAR EARNED HIS PLACE ON THE PODIUM dynamic, and no talent should be
THROUGH HARD WORK: On the
leased land, Sagar's father cultivates. left behind.
The practise continued even during the -Narendra Modi,
Corona period. His silver medal in the Prime Minister
boxing 92 kg category is the result of his
and his family's struggle.
48 New India Samachar September 1-15, 2022
