Friday, 14 February 2025 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
Sports experts said that the conduct of the 38th National Games has presented a golden opportunity for the State’s sportspersons to enhance their visibility. Notably, this is the first time Uttarakhand is hosting this national-level sports event.
To ensure its glitch-free conduct, authorities have made significant improvements to the sports infrastructure throughout the State. To add to the State’s satisfaction, the participants from Uttarakhand keep demonstrating remarkable performances in varied events, clinching medals.
Pleased with the successful conduct of the National Games, the sports experts exhorted the authorities not to complacently stop with this but to move further to motivate the State’s players to maintain the sports infrastructure for future sporting endeavours.
A retired sports coordinator from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Dayal Singh Rawat appreciated the State government’s efforts in presenting the event flawlessly. “The sports infrastructure painstakingly erected for the National Games should under no circumstances be allowed to lose its sheen. The responsibility of the authorities and the sportspersons who will use these is equal in this matter. This is high time for the State being projected as a sports hub nationally. This opportunity to enhance the sports landscape should not be wasted away. This aside, the authorities should now focus on establishing long-term training programmes for the accomplished players and budding players alike. Selecting qualified coaches is another imperative. No less important is to hold tournaments regularly to keep the players agile for future sports events- national and international,” he added.
A retired national football coach and player Nand Kishor Bahuguna hailed the successful conduct of this edition of the National Games which is closing on Friday. “This success will not just boost the morale of the current players but inspire the next generation of players. We cannot but appreciate the efforts of the organisers to procure equipment of international standards for the players. These equipment will benefit the players preparing for future competitions,” he said.
He further said that no football matches had been organised in the State for the past few years. “Now, things have seen startling changes. The State team has finished as the first runner-up in this National Games. However, this should not make us self-complacent. We still have miles to go from where we stand now. This momentum should be maintained through hosting training camps and tournaments all the year round. Besides, the sports infrastructure should be preserved for the coming generations,” he noted.
Further, the president of the kickboxing federation in Uttarakhand Arvind Kotnala commended the State government while giving equal credit to the players and the people of the State. “This is an inspiring event for the State and the players-present and future. I must also appreciatively mention the authority’s decision to give free access to the people to the stadiums to witness the National Games events. This fosters a collective sense of participation in the games. This will stand us in good stead,’ he said.
