Don’t let your dreams, courage break, CM Yogi tells players

Lucknow: Giving the mantra for life and success to players, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that concentration and quick decision-making play an important role in sports, especially badminton and table tennis, and such skills prepare one for disaster management as well as facing adverse circumstances.

“Behind every medal lies a story of struggle and the resolve to never give up. Talent gives a start, but hard work takes us to our goal. The more sweat shed, the greater the victory. Sports teaches us to fall, rise and win,” the CM said while inaugurating the second All India Police Badminton Cluster (Badminton and Table Tennis) Tournament 2025-26 in Lucknow.

“Just as you don’t let the shuttlecock fall in badminton, similarly in life one should not let dreams and courage break. Just as attention to every step and shot is essential in every sport, similarly in life, the results of continuous improvement, discipline and persistent efforts are also achieved in a better way,” Yogi said.

The CM also played badminton and released the souvenir.

He said the tradition of promoting sports and its activities in India existed since ancient times. “All the means of life are possible only through a healthy body,” he said.

“The area where the tradition of knowledge and the art of keeping the body healthy is displayed is the ‘akhada’. Building a healthy mind from a healthy body and a healthy character from a healthy mind, to ensure every person’s contribution to nation-building — making this a part of that campaign is extremely important,” he added.

Citing ancient scriptures, Yogi said that Arjun was the symbol of concentration, discipline and dedication.

“The lessons taught on the sports field are difficult to find in textbooks,” the CM said, adding that before 2017, talent used to die on waiting lists.

Players from across the country praised the arrangements and sports-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh.