On the occasion of Major Dhyan Chand Jayanti, observed as National Sports Day 2025 today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed a grand ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Sports Hall, Parade Ground, Dehradun. He highlighted the importance of sports in building discipline, energy, and inspiration in society and recalled the legendary achievements of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, who made India proud on the global stage.
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The Chief Minister said that following in Dhyan Chand’s footsteps and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is emerging as a global sports power. He pointed to the Khelo India and Fit India movements, which are nurturing sports culture across the nation. Dhami praised India’s recent successes at international events, from Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic medals to the hockey team’s resurgence, and said these victories have ignited fresh passion among the youth.
CM Dhami emphasized that Uttarakhand has now carved out a new identity as a sports hub in addition to being Devbhoomi. The successful hosting of the 38th National Games in the state established Uttarakhand’s capability to conduct large-scale sporting events. He noted with pride that Uttarakhand athletes won 103 medals in the Games, securing 7th place for the first time.
The state now boasts world-class sports infrastructure. The restoration of the Himadri Ice Rink to Olympic standards has already allowed the hosting of an international-level competition. Dhami called this a milestone for winter sports in India and a matter of pride for Uttarakhand.
Sports Legacy Plan and New Institutions
The Chief Minister announced that the government will soon implement a Sports Legacy Plan, under which 23 sports academies will be established in 8 major cities of the state. Each year, these academies will train 920 world-class athletes and 1000 additional players at high standards.
In addition, the state’s first Sports University is being set up in Haldwani, and a Women’s Sports College is being established in Lohaghat. Under the new sports policy, medal winners at national and international levels will be given the benefit of direct government jobs.
Residential sports colleges will provide free training and education to young athletes, while scholarships will be offered to encourage talented youth. Dhami said these initiatives will ensure that Uttarakhand becomes a nursery for producing top athletes in the country.
Support for Athletes
On National Sports Day, more than 250 athletes and coaches were felicitated. The government distributed over ₹16 crore in prize money. Among those honored were Olympians Mandeep Kaur, Amisha Rawat, and Manoj Sarkar, who each received ₹50 lakh. International gold medalists Shaurya Saini and Abhinav Deshwal were awarded ₹30 lakh each.
Under the Chief Minister Emerging Player Upgradation Scheme, 3,900 players received ₹1,500 each via DBT. Additionally, under the Chief Minister Incentive Scheme, 2,199 players received their monthly scholarships totaling about ₹5.5 crore.
New Announcements
The Chief Minister made two major announcements during the ceremony:
– Construction of a synthetic athletic track at Parade Ground.
– Installation of a synthetic football turf at Pavilion Football Ground.
He also presented out-of-turn appointment letters to athletes Manasi Negi in the Sports Department and Mohammad Arshad in the Police Department for their achievements.
Preparing for the Future
Dhami said that with India preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Uttarakhand’s sports department and athletes must begin preparations now to ensure strong participation and performance.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya, in her address, said that Uttarakhand has set benchmarks through the National Games and continues to invest in sports infrastructure, ensuring that athletes will emerge from every household in the state in the future. The event was also attended by MP Mala Rajyalakshmi Shah, Vice President of the Uttarakhand State Sports Council Hemraj Bisht, Principal Secretary (Sports) Amit Sinha, Sports Director Ashish Chauhan, and other senior officials.
The VUK Sports Correspondent provides detailed coverage of sporting events across Uttarakhand, India, and the world. From local leagues to international championships, the correspondent highlights the performances, challenges, and spirit of athletes. Each report aims to capture not just the scores but also the stories behind the game. Readers can rely on consistent updates that bring the excitement of sports directly to them.
