New Delhi: The Fit India Mission, a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is gearing up to launch the ‘Fit India Champions’ podcast series in collaboration with GOQii, a prominent player in the fitness sector leveraging digital and multimedia technology for proactive health management.
Scheduled to kick off on January 27, the innovative podcast series aims to spotlight the extraordinary achievements and inspiring tales of India’s sports heroes. The inaugural episode features the sensational armless archer, Sheetal Devi, who left an indelible mark on the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou with her gold-winning debut.
Sharing insights into her rigorous training routine, Sheetal Devi said, “I train for 6-7 hours every day, starting my day with stretching the bow and then start playing matches with my brother and sister. My inner mantra is ‘koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti’ (those who make an effort never face defeat), and this helps me to win the matches.”
The second episode, airing on February 10, features world and Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra. Chopra delves into the lesser-known aspects of his professional journey, shedding light on the importance of a healthy lifestyle for optimal mental performance.
Emphasizing the significance of fitness, Neeraj Chopra remarked, “The Prime Minister of India has given the clarion call of ‘Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz’ (a daily dose of fitness for half an hour), but you can go beyond the training time of 30 minutes a day. It depends on the needs of your body and that needs to be done with proper balance and not overworking your body.”
The 10-part series, hosted by Ekta Vishnoi, Deputy Director General of Sports Authority of India and Mission Director of Fit India, promises intimate and insightful conversations. Featuring diverse athletes and fitness influencers like Arjun Vajpayee, Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil, and Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medalist boxer Nitu Ghanghas, the episodes will be released every second and fourth Saturday. Audiences can access the series on various digital and social media platforms, including YouTube.
Launching ahead of the Paris Olympics in July-August 2024, the ‘Fit India Champions’ podcast series aims to offer sports enthusiasts a glimpse into the lifestyles of India’s sporting icons. The Fit India Movement, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle and has garnered widespread popularity with various initiatives and programs encouraging physical activity and well-being across India.