Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 27 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Saansad Khel Mahotsav (MP Sports Festival) at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan, here today. On the occasion, he stated that the Saansad Khel Mahotsav, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and being organised nationwide, is a vital campaign aimed at identifying and nurturing sporting talent from villages to the national level. In Uttarakhand, the festival is being conducted in three distinct phases, with the objective of spreading the message of ‘Fit India-Sports India-Strong India’ to every village, while also promoting local, traditional, and folk sports.
The CM also asserted that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India is achieving remarkable progress in sports and is carving out a unique identity on the global stage. He added that the state government is making consistent efforts to foster a vibrant sports culture. During the recently concluded 38th National Games, athletes from Uttarakhand had created history by securing 103 medals which has elevated the state’s stature in the national sporting arena, he claimed.
Dhami said that Uttarakhand is now counted among the leading states in terms of world-class sports infrastructure. He also declared on the occasion that under the Sports Legacy Plan, 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities of the state, which will provide advanced training to 920 world-class athletes and 1,000 other players annually.
Dhami further shared that work is also being expedited to establish Uttarakhand’s first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat. A new sports policy has been implemented to ensure holistic development of sports and to encourage athletes across the state. He reminded that medal winning athletes at national and international levels are being offered out-of-turn government jobs in the state. Young and emerging athletes are being supported through initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Sports Development Fund, the Chief Minister’s Player Encouragement Scheme, the Chief Minister’s Emerging Player Scheme, and the Sports Kit Scheme.
The CM added that the merit of athletes is being recognised through honours such as the Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award and the Himalaya Khel Ratna Award. The 4 per cent sports quota in government services has been reintroduced, ensuring that the dedication and talent of the state’s players are duly acknowledged and rewarded by the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal observed that the nation is swiftly progressing towards realising Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. He noted that programmes like the MP Sports Competition and Fit India are being organised across the country to showcase the talents of children, and that India is performing admirably in sports at the international level. On the occasion, he also announced financial support from his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for the construction of a volleyball and a badminton court at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan, along with funds for furniture arrangements in the school’s mess.
Among those present on the occasion included MLAs Umesh Sharma Kau and Khajan Das, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Chief Development Officer (CDO), Dehradun, Abhinav Shah besides other dignitaries.
