New Delhi, India, December 5, 2021: Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra launched an ambitious outreach programme that connects India’s ace athletes with school children on December 4.
The star javelin thrower met with students from 75 schools and emphasised the importance of diet, fitness and sport during an interaction at Sanskardham School in Ahmedabad.
Neeraj played a variety of sports with the students and gave them tips on throwing the javelin. He drew applause when, in response to a question about his favourite food, he described how he liked to cook vegetable biriyani, without making it spicy, and having it with curd.
“It is a wholesome, healthy meal with minerals from the right mix of vegetables and carbohydrates,” he said. “Also the cooking helps distract the mind from the weariness after a long training session.”
A brainchild of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the outreach envisages interaction of all Olympians and Paralympians with students from 75 schools each in a span of two years to motivate the youngsters to have a balanced diet and take on fitness activities.
Modi later tweeted: “This is a great initiative by @Neeraj_chopra1 to go among young students and motivate them on sports and fitness. Such efforts will increase curiosity towards sports and exercising.”
Other Indian athletes have also committed to the programme. Tarundeep Rai (archery), Sarthak Bhambhri (athletics), Sushila Devi (judo), KC Ganapaty and Varun Thakkar (sailing) will be visiting schools in other parts of the country in the coming two months.
Among the Paralympians, Avani Lekhara (para shooting), Bhavina Patel (para table tennis) and Devendra Jhajharia (para athletics) will lead the way in the initiative.
Source: Indian Express
