CM inaugurates state level ‘Khel Mahakumbh’, Shooting Range
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 29 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami inaugurated the State Level Sports Mahakumbh-2022 at Maharana Pratap Sports College here today. On this occasion, he also inaugurated a shooting range built at a cost of Rs 31 crores. Besides, this he also gave away cash prizes to international players and coaches from the state and felicitated them.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the games, the CM announced that the amount given to the players for food in the sports competitions organised by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department would be increased from Rs 150 to Rs 225 per day. Children securing first, second and third places in the sports competitions organised at Nyaya Panchayat level would be given Rs 300, Rs 200 and Rs 150, respectively. Those securing first, second and third positions at the block level would be given Rs 500, Rs 400 and Rs 300, respectively. Earlier, this amount was Rs 300, Rs 200 and Rs 150, respectively. Those securing first, second and third positions at the district level would be given Rs 800, Rs 600 and Rs 400, respectively, in place of the earlier amounts of Rs 700, Rs 500 and Rs 300, respectively. He added that those securing first, second and third positions at the state level would be given amounts of Rs 1500, Rs 1000 and Rs 700, respectively, in place of the earlier amounts of Rs 1000, Rs 600 and Rs 400, respectively.
Dhami observed that the Sports Mahakumbh to be organised at the state level would provide an excellent platform to the young players of Uttarakhand to showcase their talent. After playing first at the Panchayat level, then at the block level, followed by playing at the district level, the players would get a good opportunity to display their sporting talent here. He said that it was a matter of pride that the girls from Uttarakhand were also actively participating in the Khel Mahakumbh. He said that the prestige of New India is increasing on the world stage. Today, India’s potential is being introduced at the national and international level in various sports by its young players.
The Chief Minister said, “The purpose of this Khel Mahakumbh is to prepare the players for the upcoming 38th National Games, which will be hosted by Uttarakhand. Due to this, the youth of the state will get a chance to exhibit their talent. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with commitment to make Uttarakhand the best. The state government is determined to provide better education and sports facilities to the youth. Uttarakhand is the first state in the country which, on the one hand, has worked to effectively implement the new education policy, and on the other, by formulating a new sports policy and taking care of its young players. In the new sports policy, efforts have been made to provide all possible facilities to encourage the players. It has also been decided to reintroduce sports quota in jobs for sportspersons. I hope that our youth players participating in this Khel Mahakumbh will bring laurels to Uttarakhand and the country at the international level in the future.”
Sports Minister Rekha Arya said that there has been a big change in the approach towards sports and sportspersons in the society. It is now believed that sports can also provide a career, as does education. She said that sports are being promoted rapidly in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Sports talent is being brought forward from the panchayat level to the state level. Sportspersons are benefiting from the Chief Minister’s Outstanding Sportsperson Upgradation Scheme. Preparations for the 38th National Games to be held in Uttarakhand in 2024 are also underway at a fast pace.
MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’ said that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, commendable efforts are being made to give new heights to sports in the state. Congratulating all the players participating in the state level sports Mahakumbh, he said that they ought to participate in the game with discipline and aim for victory.
Also present on this occasion were Block Pramukh, Raipur, Mamta Devi, Sports Director Jitendra Kumar Sonkar, Additional Director Rakesh Chandra Dimri, other officers of the Sports Department and the participating players.
