New Delhi: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, officially inaugurated the BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships 2024 today in a momentous ceremony held in New Delhi. The event marks the first-ever BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships, showcasing the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to sports development among the seven BIMSTEC member countries.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur highlighted the significance of the BIMSTEC region, where 25% of the world’s population resides. He emphasized that the coming together of the seven BIMSTEC countries transforms the Bay of Bengal into not only a hub for travel and transportation but also a zone for progress, development, and collaboration.
“This initiative will foster deeper friendships and build a stronger sporting culture, enhancing camaraderie among athletes. This aligns with the vision of our honorable Prime Minister, who envisioned this sporting event during the summit in Nepal,” said the Union Minister.
The historic BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships, organized for the first time, was initially proposed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in 2018. Originally planned for 2021, the event faced a postponement to 2024 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of other dignitaries, including Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Nepal Sh. Dig Bahadur Limbu and Sh. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, along with High Commissioners and Ambassadors to India from BIMSTEC member countries.
The prestigious sporting event is being hosted at Delhi’s Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex and will run from February 6 to February 9, 2024. The competitions will feature the Under-20 age category in Swimming, Water Polo, and Diving events.
A total of 39 medals will be awarded across the three sporting disciplines, accompanied by nine trophies. Over 500 participants, including 268 athletes from various BIMSTEC member countries, are expected to partake in the event. BIMSTEC, encompassing South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, serves as a unique platform for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation, fostering unity and collaboration in the region.