Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded India's growing prowess in the field of sports.
Modi asserted that with Indian athletes making their presence felt on global platforms, the mindset towards sports was witnessing a sea change in the nation.
"The continuing success stories that we are scripting in the world of sports today is a testament to the changing outlook towards it," Modi said on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony for an international cricket stadium in his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi.
The 30,000-seater cricket stadium in Varanasi will be the first of its kind sports arena in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which lacks sporting infrastructure of global standards.
Moreover, it will showcase Varanasi's rich cultural heritage as the stadium is being built on a theme associated with Lord Shiva.
Varanasi is most famous for its centuries-old Lord Shiva Temple, called the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, visited by millions of people annually.
India Bids to Script History in China
Interestingly, Modi's comments about sports in India come on the opening day of the Asian Games that are being held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from 23 September to October 8.
The Indian contingent is aiming for a haul of 100 medals at the quadrennial event in China. India has never won that many medals at any international competition, let alone the Asiad. During the last edition of the Asian Games held in Jakarta, India clinched a total of 70 medals, including 16 yellow metals.
Significantly, this was India's highest tally of medals in the history of the Asian Games.