Stalwarts Say

“Before leaving for Olympics, when we met PM at his house, I was sitting in one of the last lines. I did not know but even then he had observed me. And when we talked on call after my medal in Paris, he remembered that I had sat in the last row. Such are his observation skills”

"The conversation with PM Modi gave me even more motivation to aim for a bigger medal at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.”

“When I won the medal, PM Modi called me, and his first words were to greet me in Marathi, my mother tongue. It boosts the confidence of the player so much. It feels like our entire nation supports us.”

"I literally had goosebumps hearing his words and felt a great surge of energy to win a medal for the nation!"

"The Prime Minister had a unique way to break down silos among the athletes. The Prime Minister asked questions like, 'Who among you is the youngest? How many of you are first-time Olympians? Who here has experience in 2 or 3 Olympics?' "He wanted the experienced athletes to share their insights with the junior ones. The room was filled with a new enthusiasm.”

“Athletes received letters from PM Modi months before the Paris Olympics, encouraging us to reach out for any support needed, which boosted our morale.”

"PM Modi told me to be confident and focus on my goal. He keeps track of every detail about each player.”

“I was just 16 when PM Modi encouraged me to aim big and assured me of his personal support. During the interaction, he took me aside and said, 'You are very young. You will achieve even greater success and reach out to me whenever you need anything.' This was a great source of motivation for me.”

“I really like talking to PM Modi. I want to share that when I came back from Paris, I got PM Modi the badminton racquet I had played with. The first thing he did after taking the racquet from me was to start playing my signature backhand no-look shot. And he asked me if I play the shot like this or not. I was awestruck by his sheer attention to detail. It feels so good that you have the support of the Prime Minister.”

I thank you Prime Minister and Indian government for the splendid hospitality accorded to us and the delegation. And more so, to consider Malaysia a great and true friend. I must give you this assurance that it is reciprocal and we will reinvigorate these working relations in all fields. We discuss frankly in the bilateral meetings and also in the private conversations no holds bard. We discuss as true brothers on all issues.

This is a very important personal visit and also on behalf of the Malaysian government, because Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi Ji is my dosti. I know that he is Prime Minister but he is my brother. And as I have said to him and to the colleagues, his friendship is sincere. Not only when I am Prime Minister but when I was just nobody, he was very kind as a true friend. And that of course is most meaningful to me and my delegation, and to the country.

“It is a matter of great pride for me that PM Modi personally asked me why I am retiring, and called me the ‘Wall of Indian Hockey’. Sir watches sports and sportspersons so closely and supports them. He is a great inspiration for us.