‘International President Cup–2025’ & ‘4th Tehri Water Sports Cup–2025’ conclude at Tehri Lake
Garhwal Post Bureau
Tehri, 30 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the grand closing ceremony of the International President Cup–2025 and the 4th Tehri Water Sports Cup–2025 held at Tehri Lake on Sunday. Upon arrival, he interacted with athletes from India and several other countries, praising their enthusiasm, dedication, and outstanding performances. The Chief Minister said that the participation of over 300 athletes from 22 countries has elevated this event to major international prominence, establishing Tehri Lake firmly on the global adventure sports map.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister extended his greetings to all participants, organisers, and sports enthusiasts, and expressed gratitude to THDC, the Asian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, the Uttarakhand Olympic Association, and all supporting institutions for ensuring the success of the event. He said that Tehri Lake is no longer just a centre for power generation and water management; it has become a major hub for tourism, adventure sports, and livelihood opportunities for local communities. He added that the State Government intends to continue hosting such events regularly to promote both adventure sports and tourism activities.
The Chief Minister noted that sports play a vital role in the physical and mental development of youth and help foster discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in strengthening India’s sports culture through initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India. He said that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Indian sports have witnessed unprecedented progress. He mentioned the significant increase in the number of Indian athletes qualifying for the Olympics in recent years, and noted India’s historic achievement of 107 medals at the 2023 Asian Games held in China. He also said that India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, and the Central Government has tripled the national sports budget.
The Chief Minister said that the successful hosting of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand this year has established the state not only as Devbhoomi but also as Khelbhoomi. He expressed pride that Uttarakhand athletes won 103 medals and secured 7th place for the first time in the National Games. He said that the State Government has made continuous efforts to develop world-class sports infrastructure, enabling Uttarakhand to host international sporting events. He cited the recent international competition held at the ice rink in the Dehradun Sports Stadium as an example, which has opened a new era for winter sports in India.
The Chief Minister announced that the State will soon implement the Sports Legacy Plan, under which 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities. These academies will train 920 international-level athletes and 1,000 additional players every year. He said the government is progressing rapidly on establishing the state’s first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat. Under the new sports policy, athletes winning medals at national and international levels are being provided government jobs, while education and training in sports colleges are offered free of cost. He also mentioned several initiatives, including the Chief Minister Player Incentive Scheme, Emerging Player Scheme, Sports Kit Scheme, Chief Minister Sports Development Fund, Sports Scholarships, Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award, Himalaya Khel Ratna Award, and the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Dronacharya Award for coaches. Additionally, a 4% sports quota has been reinstated in government services.
Congratulating the winning athletes, the Chief Minister said that more important than winning or losing is the spirit of sportsmanship, and it is heartening to see all participants demonstrate exemplary positive sporting spirit through their performances. Encouraging young athletes of the state, he urged them to continue working hard to achieve their dreams. He assured that both the Central and State Governments remain committed to supporting and empowering them in every possible way. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that athletes from Uttarakhand and across India will continue to raise the nation’s flag even higher on international platforms in the future.
The programme was attended by Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MLA Kishore Upadhyay, the District Magistrate, senior district administration officials, THDC CMD SP Garg, athletes from India and around the world, and local residents.
