PM Modi to invite Olympic contingent to Red Fort on August 15, to interact with them at his residence

Modi, who has been following India’s sporting events, is also expected to host the contingent at his residence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will invite India’s Tokyo Olympics contingent as special guests for the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort as a gesture to acknowledge their performance at the top sporting event.

Modi, who has been following India’s sporting events at the Tokyo Olympics, is also expected to host the contingent at his residence for a tete-a-tete.

The Prime Minister showered encomiums on the sportspersons saying their self-confidence at the Games was now becoming the identity of new India and reaching every nook and corner of the country.

India has sent a 228-member contingent, including over 120 athletes, at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.

The Prime Minister has spoken to Indian medal winners Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) and P V Sindhu (badminton), as also the hockey captain Manpreet Singh after the team lost the semi-final match to Belgium.

“Our Olympics players and teams are giving a tough fight to their competitors having better rankings. The conviction and confidence of Indian players are at their peak,” Modi said at an event on Tuesday.

He said Indian players were more confident because of the transparency in the system and the identification of right talent.

“This self-confidence comes naturally when the right talent is identified and promoted, when the system gets changed and transparency is brought in,” the prime minister said.