The 1st BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Aquatic Championship 2024 was officially inaugurated today in Delhi. Union Sports Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur, took to Twitter to announce the opening of this landmark sporting event organized within the BIMSTEC framework.
Minister Thakur expressed immense pride in hosting this championship, ‘which signifies a significant milestone for Bharat and member nations’. He said, the championship will witness the participation of over 250 athletes competing in Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo in the U-20 category for both men and women. And the initiative aims to bring together youth from culturally diverse member nations, fostering a sense of belonging and unity while enabling them to work toward shared aspirations.
In his statement, Minister Thakur also acknowledged the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting how this initiative promotes regional unity and cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region by harnessing the power of sports and the energy of the region’s youth.
About the Championship:
India is hosting the BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship 2024 in New Delhi from February 5th to 10th, 2024, as part of an initiative to foster regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal Region. More than 400 athletes and officials from seven member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, are participating in this event.
A total of 39 medals will be given out across three sporting events along with a total of 9 trophies that will be at stake.
The Ministry of External Affairs earlier emphasized the catalytic role of the BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship in transforming the Bay of Bengal Region into a sports powerhouse. The Ministry said, this initiative is expected to cultivate a culture of games and sports in the world’s most youthful region.
It is pertinent to note that, the idea behind the Championship was first proposed by PM Modi in Kathmandu during the BIMSTEC summit with the vision that the seven nations of South Asia progress and develop together.
