Dehradun lifts CM’s Sports Championship Trophy
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Feb: Dehradun district clinched the Chief Minister’s Championship Trophy 2025–26 held at Nanurkhera here. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the grand closing ceremony held today and presented the winner’s trophy along with a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to the victorious Dehradun district team. On this occasion, the CM described today’s event as not merely the conclusion of a tournament but as the beginning of a new chapter in Uttarakhand’s sporting future.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami observed that competitions organised at the village, Nyaya Panchayat and at the level of remote hill have emerged as an effective platform for identifying hidden talent. He added that such events have become a strong medium of public awareness and participation. He also remarked that Uttarakhand has steadily transformed from ‘Devbhoomi’ into ‘Khelbhoomi’, adding that prize money amounting to nearly Rs 11 crores is being transferred directly into the bank accounts of sportspersons through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and timely support.
The CM noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is scaling new heights in the global sporting arena. Initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement have infused renewed energy into the nation’s sports culture and transformed fitness into a mass movement. He noted that Indian athletes have delivered historic performances at global platforms including the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, winning a record number of medals and strengthening India’s international sporting profile. According to him, sports have gained fresh priority at the national level, with improved training facilities, enhanced resources and greater respect for athletes.
Dhami claimed that Uttarakhand government is making sustained efforts to establish the state as a prominent sporting destination. He cited the successful hosting of the 38th National Games as a testament to this commitment, stating that the event significantly enhanced the state’s prestige. In the National Games, local athletes had secured 103 medals and had achieved seventh position nationally for the first time, a milestone achievement for the state. He asserted that Uttarakhand’s modern and expanding sports infrastructure, including upgraded stadiums and training centres, is now capable of hosting both national and international competitions. The government is also implementing a Sports Legacy Plan under which 23 sports academies will be established across eight major cities in the state.
Highlighting the policy initiatives, Dhami said that the new sports policy incorporates provisions aimed at strengthening athlete support systems. The state’s first Sports University is under construction in Haldwani, where the players will benefit from advanced coaching, sports science and high-level training facilities. Through the Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Udiyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana, young athletes are being provided monthly scholarships and financial assistance for sports equipment. He added that the government has also enhanced honorarium and incentives for the coaches to encourage the grooming of emerging talent.
To recognise excellence, awards such as the Uttarakhand Khel Ratna, Dronacharya Award and Himalaya Khel Ratna are also being conferred upon distinguished athletes and coaches. Dhami further announced that from this year onwards, medal winners in the Khel Mahakumbh and other state-level competitions will be granted four per cent horizontal reservation in the government services.
On this occasion, Sports Minister Rekha Arya stated that the competitions began at the Nyaya Panchayat level on 23 November 2025 and culminated on 18 February 2026 with the Chief Minister’s Championship Trophy. She shared that more than 1.62 lakh players participated in a total of 26 sports disciplines, reflecting unprecedented enthusiasm and public involvement. She added that such large-scale sporting engagements would play a pivotal role in preparing athletes for forthcoming National Games, Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.
Among those present on the occasion were local MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’, Special Principal Secretary, Sports, Amit Sinha, Director, Sports, Ashish Chauhan, District Magistrate Savin Bansal, CDO Abhinav Shah and several officials of the Sports Department.
