CM hands over cheques to sportspersons on National Sports Day
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 29 Aug: On the occasion of National Sports Day, today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana’ in the state. This scheme will benefit around 2600 players in the age group of 14 to 23 years. A hundred players in boys and girls categories from each district will be benefitted under this scheme. Each player will be given a scholarship of Rs 2,000 per month and Rs 10,000 every year for purchase of sports equipment to train better. The Chief Minister inaugurated the scheme by giving a cheque of Rs 2000 each to some of the players and also presented cheques to sportspersons under the Mukhyamantri Udayeeman Khiladi Yojana.
Paralympic players and gold medalist in National Power Lifting, ADG Amit Sinha were also felicitated at today’s event.
The CM also made four announcements related to sports in the state. He said that a 200-bed hostel would be constructed for the players of Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. A 50-bed hostel would be constructed for the players at Hari Singh Thapa Sports College, Lelu, Pithoragarh. The daily food allowance of the players from Uttarakhand would be increased from Rs 250 to Rs 480 per day per player on the lines given by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The players of Uttarakhand participating in national competitions would be provided the facility of travel by AC bus or three-tier AC train instead of the present fare being given for travel by ordinary bus or sleeper coach.
Dhami also paid tribute before the portrait of hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand. Congratulating all the players and sports lovers, he said that Major Dhyan Chand’s exemplary and brilliant sportsmanship had taken Indian hockey to new heights. On the basis of his game, he ruled millions of hearts around the world. Major Dhyan Chand gave India a different identity in the world of hockey. Recently, the Indian hockey team has also created history by winning the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for the fourth time and has raised the prestige of the country. The CM claimed that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has progressed rapidly in every field. India has got a different identity at the global level. The ability of sportspersons is now being specially respected in the country. The country’s star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has once again proved that in sports arena, India’s tricolour shall also fly proudly.
The CM added that the state government is also making all possible efforts to promote sports. Under the Mukhyamantri Udayeeman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana, started last year, sports scholarship of Rs 1,500 per month is being given to the budding players of 8 to 14 years of age. Sports scholarship is being given to about 3,900 budding players in the state. A new sports policy has been brought for the promotion of sports and sportspersons in the state. The Chief Minister’s Sports Development Fund has been established to provide quick financial benefits to sportspersons as per the rules. Arrangements have also been made for financial assistance to sportspersons in case of accidents in competition and training camps and during travel. Rules will soon be framed and implemented to ensure 5 percent sports quota for admission in professional courses in universities. Arrangements are being made to provide out-of-turn employment to international and national level players of the state. The process of re-implementation of 4 percent sports quota for employment in state-owned services is also in the final stage, he reminded.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya reminded that continuous efforts are being made by the state government to promote sports. Next year Uttarakhand would host the National Games. In the new sports policy, efforts have been made to provide all possible facilities to the players. The cash prizes for the players have also been increased.
MLA Khajan Das, Mayor Sunil Uniyal ‘Gama’, Special Principal Secretary, Sports, Abhinav Kumar, Director, Sports, Jitendra Kumar Sonkar were also present on the occasion.
