Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the setting up of a task force aimed at preparing Indians not just for Tokyo 2020 but the 2024 and 2028 games as well.

As India continues to celebrate the victories of Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu while simultaneously tackling trolls like Piers Morgan who are mocking 1.2 billion Indians celebrating two medals, PM Modi’s announcement comes as a much-needed boost for improving the country’s medal tally at the Games.

India finished 67th on the medals table at Rio 2016, and according to a certain metric, was the worst country at the Olympics.

PM Modi had earlier responded to Sachin Tendulkar’s plea to discuss the state of Olympic sports in India, by saying athletes competing in Rio should not get disheartened as “victory and setbacks are all a part of life”.

Responding to cricket icon and the Olympic contingent’s goodwill ambassador Tendulkar’s request for encouraging words, Modi said the athletes should only focus on giving their best.

More to follow…