M Raghunandan Rao says India emerging as a strong sporting nation

Telangana Gymnastics Association president and MP M Raghunandan Rao said India was emerging as a strong sporting nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Speaking at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships, he highlighted the impact of major sports development initiatives

Hyderabad: Telangana Gymnastics Association president and MP M Raghunandan Rao said that India was rapidly emerging as a strong sporting nation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Rao was the chief guest at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships 2026 being held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi at the invitation of Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Association of India.

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Mr Rao said that flagship initiatives such as Khelo India, Fit India and Khelo Sansad Utsav had significantly strengthened India’s sporting ecosystem, enhanced infrastructure and encouraged greater youth participation in sports across the country.

Mr Rao said that the Asian Senior Fencing Championships had brought together more than 400 athletes from 33 countries. He emphasised that Indian fencers were competing alongside Olympians and some of Asia’s finest fencing stars, providing invaluable international exposure and competitive experience.