NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the victorious Women’s World Cup-winning cricket team at his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg yesterday, showering praise on the athletes for their historic triumph and resilience.
Modi personally congratulated the team on their victory, specifically highlighting their “remarkable comeback” in the tournament after facing an initial string of three consecutive defeats.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister encouraged the players to leverage their status as role models to champion the ‘Fit India’ movement, with a particular focus on inspiring young girls across the nation.
“The Prime Minister also urged the players to take forward the message of Fit India, especially for girls across the country. Mr Modi discussed the growing problem of obesity and highlighted the importance of being fit. He said go to your schools and motivate young minds there,” an official statement detailed.
The team members shared their experiences and expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s consistent support.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled a previous meeting with Mr. Modi in 2017, where the team had met him without a trophy. She expressed confidence and hope that they would now meet the Prime Minister “more often with the trophy.”
Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana acknowledged the inspirational role the Prime Minister plays for the team. “Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana said that the Prime Minister had motivated them and had been an inspiration for all of them. She also spoke about how girls are excelling in all fields today, and credited the Prime Minister for being a source of encouragement,” the statement noted.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma also recounted her 2017 meeting with Mr. Modi, recalling that the Prime Minister had advised her to “keep working hard,” a piece of counsel she felt had contributed to their eventual success.
The reception marked an official celebration of the team’s historic win and underlined the government’s recognition of women’s sports as a vital catalyst for national encouragement and fitness promotion.
