Haldwani: On the occasion of National Sports Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday laid the foundation stone for construction works worth ₹43.50 crore for the first phase of Uttarakhand State Sports University and the Manaskhand Sports Complex at the International Stadium, Gaulapar. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the university’s first academic session.
At the programme held to mark the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the Chief Minister felicitated players and coaches who have delivered outstanding performances at the national and international levels. Sports scholarships were also provided through Direct Benefit Transfer to beneficiaries of the Chief Minister’s Emerging Player Development Scheme.
The Chief Minister said that the establishment of the State Sports University is a significant achievement for the sports sector in Uttarakhand. Players from the state will no longer have to travel to other states for advanced sports education and modern training facilities. In the future, the university will become a major centre for nurturing a new generation of national and international-level athletes.
He said the government’s objective is to establish Uttarakhand among the country’s leading sporting states and develop it as a “Khel Bhoomi” (Land of Sports). A special action plan is being implemented to win the maximum possible number of medals at the National Games to be held in 2027 and to ensure a strong representation of Uttarakhand’s athletes at the 2036 Olympics.
The Chief Minister said that several schemes are being implemented to encourage and support athletes in the state. Under the Chief Minister’s Emerging Player Development Scheme, monthly sports scholarships are being provided to athletes aged 8 to 14 years. Under the Chief Minister’s Sports Promotion Scheme, athletes aged 14 to 23 years are being provided scholarships along with financial assistance for sports equipment.
He said arrangements have been made to provide government employment to athletes who win medals at the national and international levels. So far, 29 athletes have been appointed to government services under this provision. The process of providing employment in various departments to athletes who won medals at the 38th National Games is also underway.
The Chief Minister said several measures are being taken to strengthen sports infrastructure in the state. The state’s first girls’ sports college is being operated in Lohaghat. Meanwhile, work is underway on the “One District-One Sport” initiative to develop a distinct sporting identity for each district. Efforts are also underway to establish 23 new high-tech sports academies for various sporting disciplines.
Awards for Players and Coaches
On National Sports Day, Ankita from athletics was conferred the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award for 2024, while athletics coach Lokesh Chaudhary received the Dronacharya Award.
For 2025, shooting athlete Abhinav Deshwal was honoured with the Khel Ratna Award, kayaking and canoeing coach Mukesh Sharma received the Dronacharya Award, and boxing coach Mukesh Chandra Belwal was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the para-sports category, shooter Shaurya Saini was honoured with the Himalaya Ratna Award. In the team category of modern pentathlon, Saksham Pratap Singh and Mamta Khati, and in the individual boxing category, Khushi Chand, were presented with the Himalaya Khel Ratna Award. Award recipients were presented with cash prizes, certificates of appreciation, blazers, and shawls.
During the programme, athletes who won medals at international and national competitions, along with their coaches, were also felicitated with cash awards.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya, Member of Parliament Ajay Bhatt, MLA Mohan Singh Bisht, along with other public representatives, officials, athletes, and sports enthusiasts, were present at the event.
