By Radhika Nagrath
Haridwar, 31 Aug: Medal winners Shashank Sharma, Priyanshu Pal, Vishal Dwivedi, Ajay Verma, Rohit Yadav, Deepak Yadav, and Harshit Bhati of the Yogasana competition held at the 38th National Games in Almora, were felicitated by Dr Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana. The winners were from Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya and Uttarakhand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya.
The National Governing Body, Yogasana Bharat, and Uttarakhand Yogasana Sports Association, welcomed the Uttaranchal Olympic Association and the Government of Uttarakhand, as with their initiative the medal winners will soon be provided government jobs.
Dr Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, said, “We express our sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Sports Minister Dr. Rekha Arya, Secretary of the Uttarakhand Olympic Association DK Singh, and the Indian Olympic Association under the leadership of PT Usha, for their valuable support in the successful conduct of the 38th National Games.
The Yogasana competition was specially hosted in Almora, under the guidance and leadership of the world governing body President, Swami Ramdev.
Recognised as a sport by the Government of India for the past five years, Yogasana is now receiving the due recognition and respect for its athletes through state government initiatives. This marks one of the finest initiatives in Indian sports promotion.
On the occasion of National Sports Day in Dehradun, historic cash awards of Rs 12 lakhs (Gold Medal), Rs 8 lakhs (Silver Medal), and Rs 6 lakhs (Bronze Medal) were presented to the medal winning athletes.
Also present on the occasion were Technical Head Harshit Sharma, State Secretary Ranjeet Singh, Dr Eshwar Bhardwaj (President), and Pawan Malik (Treasurer of the Uttarakhand Association).
