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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged fellow citizens to promote sports while also praising India's performances at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Modi spoke about the sporting ecosystem while addressing the nation for the ninth straight time after hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi for the ninth straight time.
"Our stellar performances at international sporting events are an example of India's shining talent. We need to promote and support such talent," PM Modi said.
"When dreams are big, the hard work is equally strenuous. We need to be inspired by the determination of our freedom fighters who dreamt of a free India. I urge the youth to dedicate the next 25 years of their lives for the development of the nation. We will work towards the development of the entire humanity. That is the strength of India," he added.
Notably, India finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games 2022 trailing behind Australia, England and Canada. The Indian contingent returned home with 22 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 23 bronze medals taking the total number of medals won to 61.
This is a great performance from Team India considering that their most successful sport at these events Shooting was not included in the quadrennial event this time. It is a given that had shooting been part of Birmingham, India would have been the favourites to finish ahead of Canada, who eventually ended their CWG campaign with a total of 92 medals including 26 golds.