By OUR STAFF REPORTER
HARIDWAR, 12 Feb: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Vandana Kataria Sports Stadium here on Wednesday and inaugurated the wrestling and hockey competitions organised under the 38th National Games. On this occasion, he also met the hockey players and the wrestlers and boosted their morale.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said that hosting the National Games is a big opportunity for everyone. On behalf of all the people of Uttarakhand, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving the state the opportunity to host the national games. He mentioned that all the events of the National Games are going on very well, and players from other states are also having a good experience in Uttarakhand. He asserted that good sports facilities have been developed in the state, and the players have increased the honour of the state by performing very well. Uttarakhand is now included in the top ten in the medal table, compared to the 25th place in the 37th National Games held in Goa.
Dhami stated that a significant achievement is being reached in the 38th National Games. He expressed that Uttarakhand will also be established as a sports land, and players who aspire to make their future in sports will find good opportunities here. He mentioned that many sports structures have also been built in Haridwar and Dehradun, including velodromes, swimming pools, and cycling facilities. Competitions that used to be held in temporary structures are now being held in permanent ones. The Chief Minister wished all the players a bright future and good performance. He emphasized that sports will play a significant role in making Uttarakhand drug-free.
Speaking on the Sharadiya Kanwar Yatra starting from February 15 onwards, Dhami said that it is a very big event for the state, and the government will make good arrangements for it. He also mentioned the upcoming Char Dham Yatra and the preparations being made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit during the winter yatra. The closing ceremony of the National Games will be held in Haldwani on February 14, and all preparations are in full swing. Along with the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra, the state is also preparing for the Ardh Kumbh on the banks of Maa Ganga in 2027.
Dhami extended his wishes to everyone on Sant Shiromani Ravidas Jayanti, noting that Ravidas’s life had been very inspiring, and a holiday has been declared in his honour throughout the state. He encouraged future generations to take inspiration from Ravidas’s life and follow the path shown by him.
Among those present on the occasion included Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaisal, MLA Madan Kaushik, Adesh Chauhan, Municipal Council President Rajiv Sharma, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, District Magistrate Karmendra Singh, SSP Pramod Singh Dobal, HRDA Vice Chairman Anshul Singh, Chief Development Officer Akanksha Konde, ADM Dipendra Singh Negi, HRDA Secretary Manish Singh, and SDM Ajayveer Singh, along with other officers and employees.
