CM inaugurates State Senior & Junior Badminton Championship
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 25 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 22nd Uttarakhand State Junior and Senior Badminton Championship being held till 28 July at the Parade Ground here today. After the inaugural programme, the Chief Minister also met the players and encouraged them. Welcoming the players, the CM noted that being among the players always fills him with enthusiasm and energy. Dhami stated that Uttarakhand is making its special identity at the national and international level in the field of badminton. Many players including Lakshya Sen are making history in badminton and bringing glory to the country and the state.
Dhami added that, at present, better opportunities and resources are available for sports. The called upon the youth to keep trying continuously with their efforts and assured them that continuous sincere efforts will definitely bring them success in the future. He said that dedication and discipline towards sports is must to achieve greater heights in life. The CM claimed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many historic decisions have been taken in the field of sports in the country. Players are being proactively encouraged. With the launch of programmes like Khelo India under the leadership of the Prime Minister, sports have been promoted on a much larger scale as compared to the past. For India’s good performance in the Olympics, players are being given international level training and facilities. India is improving its performance constantly in every international level game.
The Chief Minister said that the largest ever contingent from India has been sent for participation in the Paris Olympics. He claimed that the state government is also working at every level to promote sports and players in the state. Training camps are being organised across the state, sports material is being distributed, free education, medical and food facilities are being provided to the players under the Residential Sports Hostel Scheme. Incentives of Rs 2 crore, Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively, are being given for winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympics. Incentives of Rs 6 lakh, 4 lakh and 3 lakh, respectively, are being given to gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the National Games.
The Chief Minister said that a new sports policy has been implemented to promote sports and encouragement of players in the state. In all, 31 players who won medals this year have been given appointments in government departments. Under the Chief Minister’s Emerging Players Unnayan Yojana, 3900 players between the ages of 8 to 14 are being given a scholarship of Rs 1,500 per month. The daily allowance of players preparing by staying in the sports hostel has been increased from Rs 175 to Rs 225. A provision of Rs 10 crores has also been made for opening gyms at the rural level. Uttarakhand is fortunate to get opportunity to host the upcoming National Games, which will be great boon to promote sports in the state, Dhami said.
On this occasion, Special Principal Secretary, Sports, Amit Sinha, USBA President Dr Alaknanda Ashok, Secretary BS Mankoti, journalist Rakesh Dobhal and other officials were also present.
