“Fulfilling PM Modi’s vision for youth and sports is my goal”: Leander Paes

Renowned tennis player Leander Paes on Saturday said that fulfilling the vision of Narendra Modi for youth empowerment and sports development is now his primary goal, following his recent entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party. Addressing a press conference at the party office in Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata, Paes outlined his plans to contribute to sports and youth development in the state and across the country.

Highlighting his personal connection with the city, Paes described himself as a “son of Kolkata,” noting his Bengali roots and deep emotional bond with the city. He pointed out that despite having sports infrastructure like stadiums, much more needs to be done in terms of sports education and opportunities for young athletes in Kolkata and India.

Paes also spoke about his interaction with the Prime Minister, stating that despite a busy schedule, Narendra Modi took time to listen to his vision. According to Paes, he shared his ideas on sports and youth development in detail, and the Prime Minister encouraged him to work diligently in this direction. He emphasized that he intends to carry forward this responsibility with a focus on national progress under the Indian flag.

Focusing on the future, Paes said his aim is to empower youth through sports, create better infrastructure, and prevent the migration of talented individuals from West Bengal in search of opportunities. He stressed that economic growth and sports development go hand in hand and expressed his aspiration for India to host the 2036 Olympics while achieving greater global success in sports.