Delhi: New Delhi witnessed a historic moment as Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, inaugurated the first-ever BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships 2024. The event, a landmark in regional sports cooperation, symbolizes the convergence of seven BIMSTEC countries towards progress and collaboration.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Thakur highlighted the significance of the Bay of Bengal region in facilitating connectivity and development for a quarter of the world’s population residing in South Asia and Southeast Asia. He emphasized that the championships not only promote athletic excellence but also deepen friendship and cultural ties among participating nations, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships, originally announced during the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in 2018, were initially slated for 2021 but postponed to 2024 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The event’s organization underscores India’s commitment to regional sports diplomacy and fostering closer ties with neighboring nations.
Accompanying Minister Thakur at the opening ceremony were dignitaries including Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Nepal, Sh. Dig Bahadur Limbu, and Sh. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC. The championships, held at Delhi’s Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, will feature competitions in swimming, water polo, and diving events for athletes under 20 years of age.
A total of 39 medals and 9 trophies will be up for grabs across the sporting events, with over 500 personnel expected to participate, including 268 athletes from BIMSTEC member countries. As a platform bridging South and Southeast Asian nations, BIMSTEC aims to foster greater cooperation and connectivity, leveraging sports as a catalyst for regional unity and development.
