Hardeep Singh Puri Highlights the Role of India’s Oil & Gas PSUs in Promoting Sports Culture
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, announced a significant increase in India’s commitment to sports through enhanced policy focus and public investment. Speaking at an event organized by the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) in collaboration with the Delhi Soccer Association and Sudeva Academy, he highlighted the role of oil and gas public sector undertakings in this transformation. The event coincided with India’s National Sports Day, celebrating the legacy of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Celebrating National Sports Day
The event marked National Sports Day, celebrated annually on August 29 to honor Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary. Minister Puri was joined by Ms. Sabeena Chowdhary, Member Secretary of PSPB, and Shri Anuj Gupta, President of Sudeva Delhi FC. During his address, Puri emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming India into a “sporting nation” since 2014. He noted that this transformation is not just about funding but also about developing a comprehensive ecosystem that includes nutrition, sports science, and coaching for young athletes.
Legislative Changes and Achievements
Minister Puri pointed out that the recent passage of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in Parliament marks a historic step toward improving the governance of sports federations. This legislation aims to enhance accountability within these organizations. He cited the impressive medal tallies achieved by Indian athletes in recent competitions, including 107 medals at the 2023 Asian Games and 29 medals at the 2024 Para Asian Games, as evidence of the success of these transformative policies.
PSPB’s Role in Sports Promotion
Highlighting the contributions of the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, Puri acknowledged its pivotal role in promoting sports across the country. PSPB, one of India’s largest sports promotion bodies, consists of 16 member organizations and supports competitions in 19 different sports. Over the years, PSPB athletes have achieved remarkable success, with 151 national awardees, including recipients of prestigious honors such as the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Awards.
Future Initiatives in Sports Development
The Minister also discussed PSPB’s initiatives in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, which he has adopted under the Aspirational Districts program. He praised PSPB for identifying and nurturing local sporting talent through archery competitions and announced plans to organize a sailing event in Sonbhadra next year. Additionally, he mentioned the intention to establish a Water Sports Training Centre in the district, further contributing to the development of India’s sports ecosystem. Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Puri conveyed his happiness at being part of the celebrations organized by PSPB and the Delhi Soccer Association.
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