Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse visited the Weightlifting Warriors Academy in Modinagar under the Khelo India Accredited Academy initiative, accompanied by Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma, Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) President Sahdev Yadav and CEO Ashwani Kumar. The academy, founded by Vijay Sharma, stands as a model of excellence in athletic training, powered by support from the Khelo India Scheme and various national sporting bodies.
The facility meets all parameters of the Khelo India Accreditation standards and is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a fully furnished gym, dedicated mess facility ensuring proper nutrition, and state-of-the-art equipment that integrates sports science into training. The academy employs advanced methodologies in performance analysis, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. A residential complex with 30 rooms accommodates up to 60 athletes. It currently hosts 40 emerging athletes aged 8–14, training alongside 15 elite lifters, including Mirabai Chanu herself, whose presence is a continual source of motivation.
Addressing the athletes, Raksha Khadse said that under the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, the government is creating a robust ecosystem that not only identifies talent but also sustains it through world-class coaching and community engagement. She declared, “When women lift, the entire nation rises,” pledging that the government would leave no aspiration unfulfilled and no talent undiscovered.
Khadse underlined the vital role such academies play in grassroots sports development and their significance in achieving the objectives of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, a comprehensive strategy to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. She praised the academy for fostering a culture of excellence and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in such institutions.
The presence of Mirabai Chanu at the academy was highlighted as a powerful symbol of success achievable through dedication and access to premier facilities under government-backed initiatives. The visit underlined the integration of science, nutrition and mentorship into grassroots training and the importance of role models in inspiring the next generation of champions.
