CM participates in National Sports Day programme in Doon
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 29 Aug: Participating in a programme held at the Sports Complex in Parade Ground here, today, on the occasion of National Sports Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, the magician of hockey, by garlanding his picture.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also presented cheques of Rs 50 lakhs, each, to 4 players of Uttarakhand (Lakshya Sen, Paramjit Singh, Suraj Panwar, Ankita Dhyani) who had participated in the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024.
The CM also inaugurated the website of the 38th National Games to be held soon in Uttarakhand. The UKSRS portal was also launched for the purpose of registering the players of the state at one place and recording their achievements. Dhami also distributed scholarships worth Rs 58.50 lakhs to 3,900 (1950 boys and 1950 girls) players under Udayeemaan Khiladi Unnayan Yojana through DBT. He also distributed prize money of Rs 7.04 crores through DBT to 269 national, 58 international players and 65 trainers.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the CM announced that a graduate course related to sports activities will also be started soon for the students of Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. This course, he said, will be affiliated to the proposed Sports University. He added that out of the 2,600 players selected under the Chief Minister’s Incentive Scheme, 10 percent of the players will be selected on the basis of their performance and will be provided special training. Like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme run by the Sports Ministry of the Government of India, a similar Target International Podium Scheme will also be run by the state government so that the players of Uttarakhand state can get help in earning medals at the international level.
Dhami said that the contribution of Major Dhyan Chand in the field of sports is inspirational. He also wished all the players who won medals in the Paris Olympics and wished success to all the players at the Paralympics. He said that the for the players of Uttarakhand who have made their journey to Paris Olympics, this is just the beginning. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, innovative efforts are being made at every level to encourage sports and players across the country. The Prime Minister constantly communicates with the players of the country to encourage them. A strong foundation is being laid for sports in the country under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister claimed that the state government is continuously working to take the state forward in the field of sports. A new sports policy has been implemented with the aim of encouraging sports and players. Out of turn promotions in government jobs has been started for players who have won medals at national and international levels. Under this, 31 players have been given appointment in government departments. The state government has also passed a bill to establish a sports university in the state. With the establishment of a sports university, the players will get world class training, facilities and opportunities. He said that it is a matter of joy for the state that the state is getting the opportunity to host the 38th National Games. Hosting the National Games is a big opportunity. Various sports grounds present in the state are being developed as national level grounds.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya, while greeting the sportspersons on the National Sports Day, said that this day is dedicated to the great player Major Dhyan Chand. He had faced huge challenges in earlier times and yet brought glory to the country all over the world. Today parents are also encouraging their children to excel in the field of sports. When the pinnacle of hard work and passion is crossed, then the results are seen. She added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, the state government is running historical schemes in the field of sports. The Sports Minister said that under the Chief Minister’s Udayeemaan Khiladi Unnayan Yojana, financial assistance is being provided for the selection of players. A provision of 4 percent reservation has been made for the players in the state. Sports Development Fund is being arranged by the government. Sports material will also be distributed soon. The state of Uttarakhand has got the opportunity to host the 38th National Games, for which all the preparations are almost complete.
On this occasion, MLA Khajan Das, Special Principal Secretary, Sports, Amit Sinha, Director, Sports, Jitendra Sonkar and representatives from the sports world were among those present.
