Uttarakhand CM Celebrates Himadri Ice Rink's Anniversary and Launches New Initiatives

Celebrating a Milestone in Ice Sports

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 5: On Tuesday, Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marked the first anniversary of the renovated Himadri Ice Rink at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun.

During the event, Dhami greeted athletes, sports fans, and attendees, extending his best wishes for the anniversary of the ice rink. He also introduced the Uttarakhand Ice Hockey Team's new jersey and launched the "Pay and Play" portal.

The Chief Minister expressed pride in the Himadri Ice Rink, which is recognized as India's sole international-standard ice facility, emphasizing its significance for both Uttarakhand and the nation as it offers top-notch amenities for athletes. He recalled that the rink, which opened in 2011, initially hosted the South Asian Winter Games but faced maintenance issues that led to its closure.

Highlighting the government's commitment, he mentioned that the state took action to restore the rink, investing around Rs 8.5 crore for renovations, which were completed last year, allowing it to reopen for athletes and sports enthusiasts. A one-megawatt solar plant has also been installed to support its operations with green energy.

Thanks to collaborative efforts, the ice rink has regained its status as a venue for national and international competitions. In the past year, it has successfully hosted events like the National Ice Skating Championship, Asian Trophy, and National Ice Hockey League, along with training camps for women's and junior national teams. Currently, athletes from various states are training in skating and ice hockey at the facility.

Dhami noted that the Indian Ice Hockey Team utilized the rink for its training camp, calling it a proud achievement for the state. He recalled that in August of last year, India hosted the "Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy" for the first time, featuring over 200 athletes from 11 Asian nations. He expressed pride in witnessing this historic event.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism that with the increasing interest in ice sports, India will become a formidable contender in winter sports in the future. He attributed this growth to initiatives like Khelo India and the Fit India Movement, which have been instrumental in fostering a robust sports culture in the country and enhancing India's global sports presence.

He emphasized that under the Prime Minister's leadership, the Uttarakhand government is dedicated to promoting sports culture and supporting athletes. The successful hosting of the 38th National Games has helped Uttarakhand gain recognition not only as "Devbhoomi" but also as "Khelbhoomi," with state athletes achieving a remarkable 103 medals during the event.

Dhami stated that the government is committed to developing world-class sports infrastructure. As part of this vision, a 'Sports Legacy Plan' will soon be rolled out to create 23 sports academies across eight major cities in the state, providing high-level training to approximately 920 elite athletes and 1,000 other sportspeople annually.

He also mentioned the rapid progress in establishing Uttarakhand's first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women's Sports College in Lohaghat. A new sports policy has been introduced to promote sports and support athletes, including provisions for government jobs for medalists at national and international levels.

The Chief Minister urged Sports Minister Rekha Arya to ensure timely execution of schemes and processes related to athletes.

He added that players enrolled in residential sports colleges are receiving free training along with sports scholarships. Initiatives such as the Chief Minister's Sports Development Fund, Player Incentive Scheme, Emerging Player Scheme, and Sports Kit Scheme are being implemented to assist talented athletes in the state.

In closing, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government views sports as a vital tool for nation-building and empowering youth. He reaffirmed the commitment to establishing Uttarakhand as a leading state in sports and expressed confidence that the state's athletes will continue to achieve national and international acclaim through their dedication and talent.