Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahotsav at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Tapovan, Dehradun. The festival, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, aims to promote sports culture and identify young talent from villages across the country.
The Chief Minister said that the event is being organised in three phases across Uttarakhand. It seeks to spread the message of Fit India, Sports India, Strong India while also reviving traditional and folk sports in rural areas.
Our correspondent reports that Chief Minister Dhami highlighted how India is achieving new milestones in global sports under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He said that the state government is committed to developing a strong sporting ecosystem in Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister announced that under the Sports Legacy Plan, 23 new sports academies will soon be established in eight major cities. These academies will train about 920 elite athletes and 1,000 emerging players every year. The initiative aims to provide access to modern training facilities and world-class coaching.
Our correspondent adds that Chief Minister Dhami also mentioned that Uttarakhand is setting up its first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat. He said that both projects are progressing rapidly and will empower young athletes, especially women, to pursue sports education and professional training.
He further said that the state government has implemented a new sports policy to encourage players and promote overall sports development. The policy includes out-of-turn government jobs for medal winners at national and international levels.
Schemes such as the Chief Minister Sports Promotion Scheme, Rising Player Scheme, and Sports Kit Distribution Programme are providing strong support to young athletes. The Chief Minister said that through these efforts, Uttarakhand is moving towards becoming a hub of sports excellence.
He said that the Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award and Himalaya Khel Ratna Award are honouring the dedication of outstanding athletes. The government has also reinstated a 4% reservation quota in government jobs for sportspersons.
Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, who was also present, praised the government’s efforts to promote sports and fitness. He announced that funds from his MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme will be used to build volleyball and badminton courts at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan.
He also committed additional funding from his MPLAD quota to provide new furniture for the school’s dining hall. Bansal said that such initiatives align with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, where every child has the opportunity to develop their potential.
He added that India’s strong performance on the global sports stage is a result of sustained efforts through campaigns like Sansad Khel Mahotsav and Fit India Movement.
The event was attended by MLAs Umesh Sharma Kau and Khajan Das, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah, and several dignitaries and officials.
The Chief Minister said that sports bring discipline, unity, and pride to the nation. He encouraged young players to pursue excellence and assured that the state government would continue to support them through better facilities and training opportunities.
