The Chief Minister Champions Trophy was formally inaugurated on Sunday at the Yogasthali Sports Complex in Haridwar. Organised in a new format this year, the championship will be conducted at four levels — Nyay Panchayat, Assembly constituency, Parliamentary constituency and state level — with around two lakh players expected to participate.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya inaugurated the event by hoisting the trophy flag and lighting the ceremonial torch. Addressing the players, she said the championship would serve as a launchpad for the Olympics and play a crucial role in shaping the future of sports in Uttarakhand.
Formerly known as Khel Mahakumbh, the event is being organised this year as the Chief Minister Champions Trophy 2025–26. A total of 26 sports disciplines have been included, featuring both modern and traditional games. The minister said the state government has taken several policy-level decisions in the interest of players, which has helped create a strong sports culture in Uttarakhand.
Under the championship, the team winning the MP Trophy will receive a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, while the Assembly Trophy winners will also be awarded Rs 2 lakh. The overall champion will be decided based on the cumulative points earned through medals during the competition. The champion will receive the Chief Minister Trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
The sports minister also announced that players emerging victorious in the championship would be eligible for four percent reservation in government jobs. She urged young athletes to view sports not as a pastime but as a serious career option, stressing that discipline and dedication are the keys to becoming a champion.
An additional incentive of Rs 1 lakh has been announced for players who break national records during the competition.
After the event concluded, a large number of players gathered to take photographs with the sports minister. Rekha Arya stayed at the venue for nearly an hour, interacting with athletes, boosting their morale and posing for selfies, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement among participants.
