Dehradun, 1 July (H.S.)Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, marking the fifth year of his tenure, is introducing two significant initiatives aimed at advancing sports and supporting athletes in Uttarakhand. The first initiative involves the establishment of a Sports University in Haldwani, with plans to lay the foundation stone on Sports Day. The second initiative focuses on opening 23 sports academies in eight cities, including Dehradun, Haridwar, and Haldwani, leveraging the sports infrastructure developed during the National Games. These initiatives are anticipated to improve the maintenance of existing sports facilities and provide robust training platforms for athletes.

Uttarakhand experienced notable progress in sports during Chief Minister Dhami’s fourth year, highlighted by the successful hosting of the 38th National Games, which significantly boosted the state’s reputation in the sports arena. The government is committed to sustaining this momentum with both the university and the academies advancing quickly; notifications for the university are already issued.

The National Games were a hallmark success, with Uttarakhand achieving 100 medals and placing 7th in the medal tally, greatly surpassing its previous performance of 24 medals in Goa. Additionally, a new sports policy introduced in 2021 incentivizes athletes with cash rewards of ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore for Olympic medalists, along with job opportunities and scholarships for medal winners in various competitions. The policy even recognizes participation in major events for incentives. This growing recognition of Uttarakhand as a sports hub reflects a commitment to creating a supportive environment for athletes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar