Garhwal Post Bureau
Almora, 22 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Saansad Khel Mahotsav in Almora today and formally opened football and badminton competitions. He also felicitated international cricketer Ekta Bisht along with several sports coaches on this occasion. To encourage sporting talent in Almora district, the CM also announced the construction of a multipurpose artificial turf ground at the GIC Ground for hockey and football, equipped for both day and night use. He also declared that 200 solar lights will be installed to strengthen the lighting system and promote clean energy within the Municipal Corporation area in Almora. He added that a 50-bed hostel will also be constructed at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Stadium in Almora, while the stadium’s badminton court will be renovated to meet international standards.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Dhami emphasised that the youth power of India is the nation’s greatest asset and is capable of realising the dream of a strong, prosperous and self-reliant India through hard work and determination. The CM stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is working towards a ‘Developed and Self-reliant India’ by treating youth power as national power. Inspired by the Prime Minister, the Saansad Khel Mahotsav, organised under the theme “Fit Youth for Developed India,” is not merely a sports competition but a campaign to promote sports culture across the country. He noted that it provides a platform to bring hidden talent from every village to national and international levels, while fostering discipline, confidence, team spirit, and resilience among the youth.
The CM also reminded that PM Modi is consistently working to encourage sports culture through initiatives such as “Khelo India” and the “Fit India Movement”. Under his guidance, the state government is actively promoting sports in Uttarakhand. Following the success of the 38th National Games, Uttarakhand has established itself as a “Sports Hub” (Khelbhoomi) in addition to being the “Abode of Gods” (Devbhoomi). Athletes from the state created history by winning 103 medals in the National Games. Uttarakhand is now counted among the leading states in terms of world-class sports infrastructure and has begun hosting international sporting events.
Dhami further revealed that the government will soon implement a “Sports Legacy Plan,” under which 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities across the state. Rapid progress is being made towards establishing Uttarakhand’s first sports university in Haldwani and a women’s sports college in Lohaghat. He also reminded that a new sports policy has been introduced to ensure holistic development of sports and to encourage athletes, including the provision of ‘out-of-turn’ government jobs to national and international medal winners. He said that budding young athletes are being continuously supported through programmes such as the Chief Minister Sports Development Fund, Chief Minister Player Promotion Scheme, Chief Minister Udiyaman Khiladi Yojana, and the Sports Kit Scheme.
On this occasion, Dhami also mentioned that several significant schemes are underway to improve tourism, employment, and connectivity. Under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana, over 250 kilometres of roads have been constructed in Almora district in the last four years. Various motorways have been built and renovated at a cost of several crores. A road connecting Almora, Pauri Garhwal, and Rudraprayag has been constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 400 crores, while the widening of the Almora-Bageshwar road has been approved at a cost of about Rs 922 crores. Under the Udan Scheme, heli-services have been launched to boost tourism and facilitate easy travel, with a heliport under construction at Phalsima to further enhance air connectivity. To bolster water supply in the region, a reservoir project on the Gagas River is under progress at a cost of Rs 31.27 crores. To strengthen health services, 100 new MBBS seats and 36 ICU beds have been added to the Soban Singh Jeena Medical Institute.
Among those present on this occasion were local MP and Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Almora Mayor Ajay Verma, Jageshwar MLA Mohan Singh Mehra, Vice Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurship Council, Ganga Bisht, District Panchayat President Hema Gaida, former MLA Kailash Sharma, former MLA Raghunath Singh Chauhan, BJP District President Mahesh Nayal and several other public representatives.
