Milkha Singh: ‘Athletics is backbone of all sports’

The sprint legend asked the government to provide talented children with free accommodation, schooling and other facilities with dedicated coaches so that they could win medals at all levels.

Published : Dec 16, 2017 23:02 IST , Patna

 Milkha Singh at a promotional event in Patna on Saturday.
Milkha Singh at a promotional event in Patna on Saturday.
lightbox-info

Milkha Singh at a promotional event in Patna on Saturday.

Sprint legend Milkha Singh said athletics is the backbone of all games and asked the government to provide talented children with sporting facilities.

Singh asked the government to provide talented children with free accommodation, schooling and other facilities with dedicated coaches so that they could win medals at all levels.

“If this is done, we can definitely win medals at all levels,” Singh, who is here to inaugurate a half marathon race on Sunday, told reporters.

He lamented that “it is unfortunate that a country with a population of 120 crore has not produced any other Milkha Singh in 60 years.”

Singh hoped that Bihar, which has no dearth of talented youths, will produce another Milkha Singh provided the state government set up sports academies, especially for football, hockey, athletics, gymnastics.

Singh said he has come here to participate in Patna’s first half marathon to inspire and ignite spark among people especially youths who may do wonders for the state and the nation.

Such marathons should be organised in other cities of the state in order to promote sports, he added.

Singh said people should go for a regular jogging, walking and running as doing so would keep them away from doctors.

Singh had won medals in athletics in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He had missed a bronze medal by a whisker in the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment