Rudrapur: Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami formally inaugurated the Fifth State Olympic Games, which will be held at the Manoj Govardhan Sports Stadium until September 27. During the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister was welcomed by players with flower showers as he arrived via a roadshow from the helipad. The Chief Minister raised the national and Olympic flags and took the salute of the march past from the sports teams that came from various districts. He also unveiled the mascot and medals to officially commence the games.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated the athletes, district administration, and the State Olympic Association, stating, “These games will provide a golden opportunity for the athletes of Uttarakhand to showcase their talent. It will inspire them to establish their identity at the national and international levels.” He highlighted the event’s aim to conduct various sports competitions and provide a platform for dedicated athletes from Uttarakhand’s remote areas.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the state government is continuously working to establish Uttarakhand as a leading state in the field of sports under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He shared information about the “New Sports Policy,” stating that under this policy, “out-of-turn” government jobs will be provided to medal-winning athletes at national and international levels. This year, 31 athletes who won medals have been appointed in government departments.
Additionally, the Chief Minister informed that free training, education, housing, food, and sports kits are being provided to athletes at residential sports colleges in the state. He mentioned that emerging athletes are receiving scholarships through the “Chief Minister Emerging Athlete Upliftment Scheme” and the “Chief Minister Athlete Incentive Scheme.”
The Chief Minister also spoke about facilities being provided for differently-abled athletes and coaches. He announced that the government would provide “Uttarakhand Sports Ratna,” “Dronacharya Awards,” and “Himalayan Sports Ratna Awards.” He emphasized that efforts are underway to strengthen sports infrastructure in the state by constructing new sports grounds and developing existing ones.
He announced the establishment of a Women’s Sports College in Champawat and a “Sports University” in the state. The Chief Minister urged all athletes to aim for medals in state games and to perform well in the upcoming national games. Present at the event were MP Ajay Bhatt, State Minister Anil Kapoor Dubbu, President of the State Olympic Association Mahesh Negi, and several other officials and athletes.
The Chief Minister’s inauguration program has further enhanced enthusiasm for sports in Uttarakhand, providing athletes with a significant opportunity to give new direction to their sports careers.
