Latest news with #WeightliftingWarriorsAcademy
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
'When women lift, nation rises': Union MoS Raksha Khadse at Weightlifting Warriors Academy
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, on Wednesday paid a significant visit to the Weightlifting Warriors Academy in Modinagar, a premier training centre recognised under the Khelo India Accredited Academy initiative. Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu joined her, Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma, Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) President Sahdev Yadav, and CEO Ashwani Kumar. The Weightlifting Warriors Academy, founded by the Chief National Coach Shri Vijay Sharma, is a state-of-the-art facility meticulously designed to cultivate future champions. Operating with robust support under the Khelo India Scheme and from various sporting bodies, the academy offers a holistic environment for athletic development. Khelo India Accredited Academy - a game changer component of the Khelo India Scheme: For a facility to be accredited as a Khelo India Accredited Academy, it is required to conform to the norms of the Khelo India scheme. The Weightlifting Warriors Academy features a modern, fully equipped gym, a dedicated food service ensuring optimal nutrition, and cutting-edge training equipment and sports science facilities. This isn't just about traditional coaching anymore. Athletes here benefit from scientific training methodologies, advanced performance analysis, targeted injury prevention programs, and comprehensive rehabilitation support. Its residential wing boasts 30 comfortable rooms, capable of housing up to 60 athletes. Currently, the academy is a vibrant hub for 40 promising young athletes, aged 8-14, who are taking their first steps towards sporting greatness. They train alongside 15 elite athletes, including none other than India's celebrated Olympic medalist, Mirabai Chanu, whose dedication and prowess serve as a constant source of inspiration within these walls. Addressing the enthusiastic young athletes, coaches, and staff, Khadse said, 'Under 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025', we are building an ecosystem that not only discovers talent but also sustains it through world-class coaching and community engagement. I have realisedthat when women lift, the entire nation rises, and we pledge to leave no talent undiscovered and no aspiration unfulfilled.' Khadse's visit highlighted the pivotal role of these academies in identifying and nurturing talent from the grassroots, equipping them with world-class facilities and expert guidance. Such institutions are crucial to realising the ambitious goals of 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025,' a visionary policy aimed at transforming India into a formidable global sporting powerhouse by creating a comprehensive and sustainable sports development framework. The presence of an iconic athlete like Mirabai Chanu at the academy serves as a potent motivator for the young trainees, vividly demonstrating the heights that can be achieved through dedicated training and access to the premier facilities provided by the Khelo India initiative. As per the statement, Khadse commended the academy's efforts in fostering a culture of excellence and reaffirmed the government's steadfast resolve to continue investing in such vital institutions, thereby securing a brighter, more glorious future for Indian sports. (ANI)
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"When women lift, the nation rises"; MoS Youth Affairs and Sports Khadse
Modinagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 8 (ANI): Raksha Khadse, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, undertook a significant visit to the Weightlifting Warriors Academy in Modinagar, a beacon of excellence under the Khelo India Accredited Academy initiative. She was joined by Olympic Medalist Mirabai Chanu, Head Coach Vijay Sharma, Sahdev Yadav, President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF), and Ashwani Kumar, CEO of IWLF. The Weightlifting Warriors Academy, founded by the Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma, is a state-of-the-art facility meticulously designed to cultivate future champions. Operating with robust support under the Khelo India Scheme and from various sporting bodies, the academy offers a holistic environment for athletic development. For a facility to be accredited as a Khelo India Accredited Academy, it must conform to the norms of the Khelo India scheme. This Weightlifting Warriors Academy has a modern, fully-equipped gym, a dedicated food mess ensuring optimal nutrition, and cutting-edge training equipment and sports science facilities. This is not just about traditional coaching anymore. Athletes here benefit from scientific training methodologies, advanced performance analysis, targeted injury prevention programs, and comprehensive rehabilitation support. Its residential wing boasts 30 comfortable rooms, capable of housing up to 60 athletes. Currently, the academy is a vibrant hub for 40 promising young athletes, aged 8-14, who are taking their first steps towards sporting greatness. They train alongside 15 elite athletes, including none other than India's celebrated Olympic medalist, Mirabai Chanu, whose dedication and prowess serve as a constant source of inspiration within these walls. Addressing the enthusiastic young athletes, coaches, and staff, Khadse said, 'Under 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025', we are building an ecosystem that not only discovers talent but also sustains it through world-class coaching and community engagement. I have realised when women lift, the entire nation rises, and we pledge to leave no talent undiscovered and no aspiration unfulfilled.' Khadse's visit highlighted the pivotal role of these academies in identifying and nurturing talent from the grassroots, equipping them with world-class facilities and expert guidance. Such institutions are crucial to realising the ambitious goals of 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025,' a visionary policy aimed at transforming India into a formidable global sporting powerhouse by creating a comprehensive and sustainable sports development framework. The presence of an iconic athlete like Chanu at the academy serves as a potent motivator for the young trainees, vividly demonstrating the heights that can be achieved through dedicated training and access to the premier facilities provided by the Khelo India initiative. Khadse commended the academy's efforts in fostering a culture of excellence and reaffirmed the government's steadfast resolve to continue investing in such vital institutions, thereby securing a brighter, more glorious future for Indian sports. (ANI)
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
ASMITA league
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the ASMITA league for the new season at the Weightlifting Warriors Academy at Modinagar on Tuesday. The league will be a two-day competition, featuring 42 girls in eight weight categories. 'It is our mission to create opportunities at every level, spot talent and groom. I see a lot of fire in the kids here,' said the Sports Minister, as he expressed confidence of finding another bright star like Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who was present along with coach Vijay Sharma. 'Everyone now has a vision on how to make it to the highest level. We didn't get such opportunities. That is why ASMITA is a blessing for women who want to play a sport and dream big,' said Mirabai. 'ASMITA is a big pillar in our robust sports programme. Women have demonstrated their ability to excel in sports, and sky is the limit for them,' said Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Sports. In the current financial year, 852 league competition across 15 sports disciplines has been planned. It is expected to have about 70,000 female athletes. Last year, there was 550 league competition, featuring about 53,000 women athletes.
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Confident that Weightlifting Warriors Academy will definitely produce Olympic Champions: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
Modi Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 8 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that he is very confident that the newly inaugrated residential wing of the Weightlifting Warriors Academy will produce a lot of Olympivs champions in the near future. Kiren Rijiju on Saturday inaugurated the residential wing of the Weightlifting Warriors Academy, the centre where Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu trains, marking a significant milestone in India's Olympic preparations for 2036. 'I'm confident that we will definitely produce Olympic Champions from Weightlifting Warriors Academy, at Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh,' Kiren Rijiju wrote on X. The state-of-the-art facility, established by Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma in September 2024, will now provide accommodation for up to 60 athletes in 30 fully equipped rooms. Currently, 40 young athletes aged 8-14 years and 15 elite athletes are also training at the academy. Speaking at the inauguration, Rijiju congratulated the team and expressed his confidence in the academy. 'I would like to congratulate the team at Weightlifting Warriors that the residential centre has opened. I am not just wishing you all good luck, but I have faith that a great champion will emerge from here. I have seen a lot of academies in my life... but the way Vijay has run this academy with dedication, and the way they work hard to make it a success. I have never seen that anywhere else,' he said, as quoted from a press release by Weightlifting Warriors. Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu, who trains at the academy, expressed her commitment to mentoring the next generation: 'The 2036 Olympics is not just a dream for us; it is a commitment for our country. My young athletes, remember that when you train, you take the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians with you.' Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma shared his vision: 'The dream I had of an academy has come true today. With Mirabai's training, these kids can learn something and perform well in the next Olympics.' The academy operates under the Khelo India Scheme with support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Olympic Gold Quest, and the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF). (ANI)
