Uttarakhand Launches Sansad Khel Mahotsav to Boost Sports Culture
Inauguration of Sansad Khel Mahotsav
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, officially opened the "Sansad Khel Mahotsav" at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Stadium located in Almora. This sports festival commenced on Monday with the goal of promoting the vision of Fit India and Fit Uttarakhand.
Vision for Sports Development
Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta also attended the event. Under CM Dhami's guidance, the state government has been fostering a new sports culture. Significant advancements in sports infrastructure are underway, and the new sports policy is aimed at recognizing and nurturing athletes' talents throughout Uttarakhand.
Plans for a Sports Hub
Following the inauguration, CM Dhami articulated his vision for transforming Uttarakhand into a prominent sports hub. He announced plans for a state-level sports league, stating, "Our government is working on a sports league initiative that will establish 23 sports academies across eight major cities. This initiative aims to train 920 elite athletes and thousands of other players at a high level. Additionally, we are making swift progress towards setting up Uttarakhand's first sports university in Haldwani and the inaugural women's sports college in Lohaghat."
Nationwide Sports Initiative
On December 21, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, launched the Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025-26 in the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance grassroots sports culture across the country. The Sansad Khel Mahotsav is designed to promote community involvement, encourage sportsmanship, and discover emerging local talent through various sporting events nationwide.
Half-Marathon Event in Majuli
As part of the inaugural activities in Majuli, a half-marathon was held featuring two categories: one for men and another for women. The event attracted around 1,000 participants from various age groups and included three distance categories. Prize money was awarded to both male and female winners, with amounts of Rs 50,000 for first place, Rs 15,000 for the runner-up, Rs 7,000 for the second runner-up, Rs 5,000 for the third runner-up, and Rs 3,000 for the fourth runner-up, celebrating the commitment and sportsmanship of all participants.
Commitment to Fitness and Community
The launch of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Jorhat underscores the dedication to promoting fitness, empowering youth, and fostering an inclusive sports culture, while also enhancing community spirit and encouraging local sporting talent throughout the region.