Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahotsav at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan on Monday. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this nationwide sports initiative aims to discover and promote local talent from villages to the national stage. He said the festival is being organized in three phases across Uttarakhand to promote the message of “Fit India, Sports India, Strong India” and to encourage traditional and rural sports.
Dhami highlighted that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has achieved new heights in the sports sector and gained global recognition. The Chief Minister announced that under the “Sports Legacy Plan,” 23 new sports academies will soon be established across eight major cities in the state. These academies will train 920 elite athletes and over 1,000 other sportspersons every year, providing high-level facilities and coaching.
He added that work is progressing rapidly on establishing Uttarakhand’s first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat. The state government has implemented a new sports policy to promote all-round sports development and support athletes. Medal winners at national and international levels are being given out-of-turn government jobs. Several schemes, including the Chief Minister Sports Development Fund, Player Incentive Scheme, and Udayman Khiladi Yojana, are helping emerging players in the state.
CM Dhami further said that Uttarakhand is now counted among states with world-class sports infrastructure. He mentioned the Uttarakhand Khel Ratna and Himalaya Khel Ratna awards as recognition of athletes’ excellence, and confirmed that the 4% sports quota in government jobs has been reinstated.
Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, who was also present, said that the country is progressing rapidly towards Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. He announced that funds from his MP quota will be used to build volleyball and badminton courts at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan, and also to provide furniture for the school’s mess.
Also Read This – Mild Earthquake Tremors Felt in Chamoli, Magnitude 3.4 Recorded
The event was attended by MLAs Umesh Sharma Kau and Khajan Das, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, CDO Abhinav Shah, and other dignitaries.
