The Uttarakhand government has showered praise on athletes for their stellar performance at the National Games, yet completely neglected sports development in the budget. While slogans like “Devbhoomi to Khelbhoomi” are used for publicity, the reality is stark—not a single rupee has been allocated for setting up sports academies, improving international-standard facilities, or providing incentives to young athletes.
Budget Crisis for National Games Medalists
Uttarakhand athletes secured 103 medals at the National Games, but the prize money allocation exposes the government’s apathy. Over ₹12 crore was required to honor these winners, yet the budget earmarked only ₹1.25 crore. This raises a serious question: Does the government truly support athletes, or is it merely a ceremonial gesture?
Sports University: A Hollow Announcement
The government’s budget speech announced the establishment of a sports university in Haldwani, but the allocation stands at just ₹1,000—a token amount that holds no real value. Experts call this a mere bureaucratic formality, as the government has not clarified when or how much actual funding will be provided. Without concrete financial backing, this so-called “university” is nothing more than a paper project.
Massive Budget Cuts, Sports Development Stalled
This year, the sports department received ₹250 crore, covering salaries, administration, and infrastructure. In contrast, last year’s National Games budget alone was ₹500 crore, yet now, the entire sports sector is running on half the funds. The sports department had demanded ₹864 crore to develop new academies, maintain international-level infrastructure, and establish a women’s sports college in Champawat, but these critical projects remain unfunded.
Even the “Udaymaan Fund”, which supports emerging athletes, faced a severe cut—from the ₹16 crore requested, only ₹10 crore was approved. This short-sightedness threatens Uttarakhand’s sporting future, leaving athletes struggling for facilities, training, and financial aid.
The government’s apathy has sent a strongly negative message to sportspersons—medals may bring glory, but they do not guarantee support. If this trend of budget neglect continues, Uttarakhand’s athletes may soon find themselves without the resources to compete at the highest levels.
