Radhakrishnan urges youth to embrace fitness, shun drugs at Agra sports festival

Agra: Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday called upon young people to adopt fitness as a way of life and stay away from drugs while addressing participants at the MP sports festival in Agra. Addressing athletes and spectators, Radhakrishnan said, "Sports go beyond winning and losing, playing a vital role in building character, discipline, patience and team spirit."He credited initiatives such as the Centre's Fit India Movement, the Khelo India programme and the promotion of indigenous games for India's improved sporting performance in recent years.Highlighting the increasing participation of women in sports, the Vice President said, "Sporting platforms are opening up new leadership opportunities for women. India is preparing to host major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and, in the long run, the Olympics."He added, "Earlier, the focus was largely limited to hockey and cricket. Today, India is making steady progress in disciplines such as shooting, wrestling, tennis and others. The record performance of our para-athletes at the Paralympics reflects scientific training methods and supportive govt policies."Union minister Satya Pal Singh Baghel said, "It was the first time since Independence that a vice president had attended a sports competition in Agra."