Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured athletes and coaches from Uttarakhand who brought pride to the state through their outstanding performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow, Scotland. At a ceremony at the Chief Minister’s residence, Dhami congratulated the athletes, coaches, and their family members, saying their achievements are a source of pride and inspiration for the entire state.
Those honoured included Shubham Juyal, a para-athlete from Roorkee who won a silver medal; Unnati Sharma, a judoka from Dehradun who won a bronze medal; Shubham Juyal’s coach Rakesh Singh Rawat; Unnati Sharma’s coaches Satish Chandra Sharma and Punesh Kumar Singh; and Khemanand Belwal, coach of the Indian boxing team.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s athletes had brought honour to both the state and the country on the international stage through hard work, discipline, and dedication. He added that the guidance of coaches and support from families also play an important role in an athlete’s success, making recognition of coaches equally important.
Dhami said the state government is continuously working to establish Uttarakhand among India’s leading sporting states. Along with developing modern sports infrastructure, facilities are being expanded to district and block levels. Talented athletes are being provided support for training, sports equipment, nutrition, and preparation for competitions.
He said that under the state’s sports policy, athletes who perform exceptionally at national and international levels receive prize money, opportunities in government services, scholarships, and specialised training facilities. Special encouragement is also being provided to women athletes, athletes with disabilities, and sporting talent from rural areas.
The Chief Minister said sports are being linked with employment, health, and personality development to create new opportunities for young people. The government is also focusing on strengthening the Sports University and sports academies, developing coaches’ capabilities, and providing athletes with better resources for national and international competitions.
Dhami expressed confidence that the medal-winning athletes and their coaches would inspire the next generation of Uttarakhand’s youth. He said the state government would continue to provide every possible support to take the state’s sporting talent to global platforms.
Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya, Special Principal Secretary Amit Sinha, and officials from the Sports Department were present on the occasion.
