New Delhi [India], Oct 21 (ANI): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Sunday felicitated all the medal winners of the recently-concluded third edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was the chief guest at the event.

Rathore congratulated the athletes on their exceptional medal haul at the Youth Olympic Games, while also thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for specifically focusing on youth development and sports.

"The year 2018 has been the best year for the Indian sports. India won several medals at the international level. In Asian Games, India made a historic record. In Youth Olympics, India got 13 medals and if we included international then there are 15 medals," Rathore said.

"I would like to thank honourable Prime Minister who always focused on youth, youth development, youth values, fitness and sports. That's why we are saying whether it would be 2020 Olympics, 2022 games or any other games, we will be professionally prepared to face them," he added.

Congratulating the medallists, President of IOA, Narinder Dhruv Batra said that the athletes have made the entire nation proud, adding that the success in the Youth Olympic Games reflects the right preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

"The Indian Olympic Association is extremely proud of all the medal winners for their excellent performance. These medalists have made the entire nation proud and the IOA is felicitating them with cash awards," Batra said.

"The success in the Youth Olympic Games is a good sign that National Sports Federations are on the right path of preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games," he added.

Secretary-General of IOA, Rajeev Mehta said that the progress displayed by the young athletes is remarkable, adding that the association is proud of them.

"The young athletes have all presented their best performance during the Games. IOA is proud of all of them. From just two medals in the previous edition to thirteen medals within four years, the progress is definitely remarkable," Mehta said.

"IOA would be extending support to the Youth Olympic Games medallists in their preparation for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games," he added.

Mehta also applauded the efforts of the coaches, Federation officials, MYAS and SAI, whose collective work made this historic success possible. He made a special mention of the Chef de Mission Gurudatta D. Bhakta's service during the Games.

India's campaign at the third Summer Youth Olympic Games ended on an all-time high with a total of 13 medals including, three Gold, nine Silver, and one Bronze. (ANI)

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