Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, made a powerful statement during her visit to the Weightlifting Warriors Academy under the Khelo India Accredited Academy initiative. Her message was clear and emotional: “When women lift, the entire nation rises.”
Khelo India: Fueling Dreams from the Ground Up
On July 10 2025, the academy buzzed with energy as Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu joined Smt. Khadse to inspire and educate the next generation of athletes. The event brought together young lifters, elite athletes, and top coaches for an immersive experience in sports science, nutrition, and strength training.
The Weightlifting Warriors Academy was founded by Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma and operates with full support from the Khelo India Scheme. The facility stands as a model for how grassroots training, when coupled with scientific precision, can shape world-class athletes.
Inside the Academy: Where Champions Are Made
The academy is more than a gym—it’s a comprehensive athletic development center. With a fully equipped training zone, nutritionally balanced food mess, and on-site sports science facilities, the academy caters to every aspect of athlete performance.
Currently, 40 talented youth aged 8–14 train here daily, alongside 15 elite lifters including Mirabai Chanu. These young athletes live on campus in comfortable residential quarters, which can house up to 60 individuals. Every room, meal, and training session is designed to unlock potential.
Scientific Support for Athletic Excellence
Gone are the days of relying only on grit. Today, India’s sports training revolves around sports science, injury prevention, recovery support, and data-based performance tracking. This academy follows those global best practices—helping athletes lift smarter, not just harder.
During her visit, Smt. Khadse interacted with coaches and trainees, discussing topics like nutrition for strength athletes, the role of mental health in sports, and the importance of rest and recovery.
Mirabai Chanu: More Than a Medalist
Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu spent the day encouraging young lifters. Her humility and passion lit up the room. She emphasized that access to high-quality coaching and scientific infrastructure—like what she now sees in Modinagar—was once a distant dream.
“These children have a head start we never had,” she said. “With the facilities provided under the Khelo India Scheme, we’re building future Olympians, right here.”
Raksha Khadse: Powering a New Sports Policy
Addressing the athletes and staff, Smt. Khadse highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive and impactful sports development under the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025. This policy aims to transform India into a global sports powerhouse by building a sustainable framework that nurtures talent from early stages.
“We’re not just discovering talent,” she said. “We’re building systems to sustain it—with community involvement, world-class infrastructure, and unwavering support.”
Women in Sports: Driving National Progress
One of the most powerful moments came when Smt. Khadse declared, “When women lift, the nation rises.” Her words resonated deeply, especially in a country where women athletes continue to break stereotypes and dominate global podiums.
The minister reiterated the government’s goal of ensuring that no talent goes undiscovered and no dream remains unfulfilled.
Grassroots to Glory: A Working Model
This visit shines a spotlight on how well-structured programs like Khelo India Accredited Academies can change the game. With active collaboration from national federations like the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) and coaches like Vijay Sharma, the academy stands as a shining example of vision turned reality.
Leaders like Sahdev Yadav, President of IWLF, and Ashwani Kumar, CEO, joined the discussions to reaffirm their support for grassroots development. Their presence emphasized that excellence in sports comes from the bottom up—not top-down mandates alone.
Conclusion: The Rise of a Sporting Nation
With Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 leading the charge, India is entering a golden era of sports. From Modinagar to the world stage, efforts like these ensure that talent doesn’t go to waste. Instead, it gets molded into champions with pride and purpose.
Smt. Raksha Khadse’s visit marked more than an inspection—it was a celebration of dedication, infrastructure, and belief. With stars like Mirabai Chanu lighting the path, and young dreamers lifting their first weights with joy, the message is clear:
India is rising—and she’s lifting her future, one rep at a time.
