Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates modern sports gym at SAI National Centre of Excellence in Hamirpur
Youth Empowerment in Hamirpur: Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates state-of-the-art sports gym at SAI National Centre of Excellence
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Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Hamirpur constituency, Anurag Singh Thakur, today inaugurated a state-of-the-art sports gym built at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Hamirpur. Local athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts participated in the event and expressed their enthusiasm for utilizing the new facilities.
Speaking at the inauguration, Anurag Singh Thakur said that sports and exercise play a crucial role in keeping the younger generation healthy, disciplined, and motivated. Regular exercise keeps young people away from drugs, crime, and self-destructive habits, while also increasing self-confidence, team spirit, and discipline.
He said that sports is no longer just a hobby but also a reliable path to a professional career. Indian male and female athletes who have made their mark on the world stage have demonstrated how excellence can be achieved with the right training, dedication, and opportunities. Female athletes have achieved world-class success in recent years, including talents in badminton, shooting, boxing, and wrestling – all serving as inspirations that a career in sports is possible and respectable.
It is noteworthy that the SAI National Centre of Excellence, Hamirpur, was established in March 2022 with the objective of providing high-level coaching, modern facilities, and sport-specific training to talented young athletes. The center currently provides training to numerous athletes in 6 sports disciplines – athletics, badminton, boxing, judo, hockey, and wrestling – and will be further expanded in the future to include international sports facilities, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a 300-bed hostel. Anurag Singh Thakur has previously played an active role in the establishment and development of facilities at this center, ensuring that Hamirpur secures a prominent place on the list of national sports centers. Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur stated that the access road leading to the NCOE center will be paved. The construction of a turf for cricket players will be undertaken after land acquisition, and additional mast lights will be installed at the NCOE center for better visibility during late hours; one light has already been installed.
As the former Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Anurag Singh Thakur focused on strengthening the Ministry of Sports' budget and expanding sports infrastructure during his tenure. He allocated over ₹3,200 crore under national programs to provide better sports facilities in India, including resource allocation for the expansion and upgradation of prestigious institutions like the Sports Authority of India's National Centers of Excellence. This strategy enabled the construction and expansion of modern facilities at the SAI National Center of Excellence, Hamirpur, paving the way for quality training for local and national-level young athletes.
During the inauguration, the Member of Parliament expressed his expectation that the young athletes, through regular training, discipline, and hard work, would bring glory to Himachal Pradesh and India not only at the national but also at the international level.
Present on the occasion were Deepak Sharma - Zonal Head, ICICI Foundation, Rajnesh Thakur - Project Manager, ICICI Foundation, Ajay Kumar - Development Officer, ICICI Foundation, Gaurav Rana - Central Manager, ICICI Bank, Vishal Thakur - Bank Manager, ICICI Bank, Divya Tiwari Sharma, NCOE Center In-charge and former Olympian, Hamirpur, Mandal President Shripal Sharma, Vikram Rana and Abhayveer Lovely, former Mandal President Vijay Behal, District Treasurer Dharmendra Sharma, Adarshkant Sharma, Harish Sharma, Vijaypal Sohru, and a large number of other people.
