CM Dhami & Minister Rekha Arya Inaugurate Khel Mahakumbh 2024
By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 1 Dec: The Khel Mahakumbh Uttarakhand 2024 was officially inaugurated here today by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with the Minister of Youth Welfare, PRD, and Sports, Rekha Arya, and MLA Raipur, Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’. The event, organised by the Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, brought together participants from across the state to celebrate the spirit of sports and athleticism.
The opening ceremony commenced with an impressive March Past featuring participants from various districts of Uttarakhand, including Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, Nainital, Haridwar, Tehri, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, and Dehradun. This was followed by the symbolic handing over of the torch to the Champion Player from Champawat, Meenakshi Singh, by Chief Minister Dhami followed by an oath-taking, at which all participants pledged to strive for excellence in sports.
In his address, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated the State Sports Department for organising the Khel Mahakumbh Uttarakhand 2024. “I am delighted to see the active participation of more girls than boys, which reflects the empowerment of women in today’s era. This event is a huge occasion, bringing together participants from across the state and providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and prowess in various sports,” he said. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to sports development, stating, “This year, an amount of Rs 11 crore will be awarded to the winning athletes. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, our state government has been making significant strides in the promotion of sports and games. The government is also offering government jobs to athletes who excel in their fields.”
Dhami also acknowledged the shifting social attitude towards sports, saying, “Earlier, parents focused solely on academics, with sports seen as a secondary activity. But, today, that perspective has changed, and sports are now regarded as equally important as studies, with parents encouraging their children to participate in various sports.” He further emphasised the government’s efforts in building new fields and modern stadiums, as well as maintaining existing ones. “We are also working towards establishing a Sports University in the state soon. Our government will always stand by athletes, and I encourage everyone here to take part in as many games as possible and bring pride to Uttarakhand,” he added.
“I am pleased to announce that all participants at the district level Khel Mahakumbh will receive a sports kit. Additionally, all medal winners at the state level of the Khel Mahakumbh will be entitled to a 4% reservation in government jobs, providing them with a significant advantage and recognition for their achievements”, added CM Dhami.
Minister Rekha Arya addressed the gathering, highlighting the several key initiatives that the Uttarakhand government has implemented for the betterment of sports in the state. “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, our government has introduced a 4% sports reservation, the ‘medal equals to job scheme’, and the establishment of the Sports Development Fund, among others,” she said. She emphasised the government’s focus on the holistic development of athletes and its commitment to helping students excel in the upcoming National Games. Arya also spoke about the upcoming plans to establish a Sports University, which will offer professional training and support, providing an environment conducive to both national and international-level practices. “Through this university, we aim to transform the perception of sports within society and globally,” she added. Minister Arya further expressed her confidence that this Khel Mahakumbh would help prepare the athletes for success at the upcoming National Games and encouraged them to aim for excellence. She noted that over 12,000 students had been selected from over 3 lakh participants and expressed hope that traditional games like Malkambh, Pitthu, and Murga Jhapat would be represented at the national level. “Any athlete breaking national records will be eligible for a reward of Rs 1 lakh,” she concluded.
MLA Umesh Sharma Kau also addressed the event, commending the surge of energy and enthusiasm among the youth in sports since Chief Minister Dhami assumed office. “There has been a revival of energy across all sectors, especially in sports,” Kau said, adding his congratulations to all the participants. He expressed confidence that the Khel Mahakumbh 2024 would serve as a stepping stone for the students’ bright future in sports.
Special Principal Secretary, Sports & Youth Welfare, Amit Kumar Sinha highlighted the significant progress made in the organisation of Khel Mahakumbh in recent years. “This is the 8th edition of Khel Mahakumbh, and this year, more than 3 lakh students have participated in the event, with two major innovations: direct disbursement of prize money to winners’ bank accounts and online registration. These steps have made the process more transparent and efficient, helping us build a comprehensive data system that tracks the progress of every participant.”
During the event, participants showcased their skills in various traditional games, including Malkhambh, Murga Jhapat, and Pitthu, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented cheques to three exceptional athletes in recognition of their achievements at the national and international levels. Ameesha Chauhan received Rs 50 lakhs for her participation in the 20th Winter Deaf Olympics 2024 Skiing Competition, Sonia was awarded Rs 2 lakhs for winning a gold medal at the 27th National Federation Senior Athletics Championship, and Rahul Sarnaliya received Rs 1 lakh for securing a gold medal at the 22nd National Federation Junior Under-20 Cup Athletics Competition.
The Khel Mahakumbh 2024 aims to inspire and nurture the talents of Uttarakhand’s youth, positioning them for success in both national and international sporting arenas.
To commence day one of Khel Mahakumbh 2024, CM Dhami released the tricolour balloons followed by the inauguration of the Volleyball competition.
The programme was attended by several dignitaries and officials, including Prashant Arya, Director, Department of Youth Welfare & PRD; Additional Director RC Dimri; Joint Director Ajay Aggarwal; Deputy Directors Shakti Singh and SK Jairaj; Finance Controller Bhaskaranand Pandey; and Assistant Directors Neeraj Gupta and Deepti Joshi, alongside Rajesh Mamgain, Principal of Sports College.
