Next National Games to be held in Meghalaya, says Shah
PNS | DEHRADUN
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion that India is ready to host the Olympics 2036. He said this at the conclusion of the 38th National Games in Haldwani on Friday. Shah said that the next National Games will be held in Megghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, Shah Shah said that with the successful conduct of the 38th National Games, Devbhoomi (Uttarakhand) has now become a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ with the help of sports infrastructure developed in every district of the State. Due to the efforts of chief minister Pushar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has moved upwards from 21st place to 7th place in terms of the country’s sports infrastructure. Congratulating the athletes from Uttarakhand who won medals in the National Games, he stated that it is they who have truly made Dev Bhoomi a land of sports.
Shah appreciated the organising committee of 38th National Games and the sports federations, stating that it was due to their efforts that a small state like Uttarakhand was able to successfully organise these games. He mentioned that around 16,000 athletes participated in approximately 435 competitions as part of National Games. He said that the true message of sports is the spirit of victory and not being disheartened by defeat. The next National Games is to be held in Meghalaya, where athletes will have another opportunity to win medals, he said.
Shah stated that eco-friendly practices were realised along with the eco-friendly games at the 38th National Games. He mentioned that national records were made in several sports, including weightlifting, shooting, and athletics, which has raised hopes of winning medals at international competitions. He also said that during the next National Games, to be held in Meghalaya, some events will be organised in other northeastern states as well, so that the entire North East resonates with the National Games. He said that the organisation of sports competitions in small states like Uttarakhand and Meghalaya shows the dedication of these states towards sports.
Shah stated that due to the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a significant change in the sports environment in the country. PM Modi had started the ‘Khelo Gujarat’ competition as the chief minister of Gujarat, and since then, there has been substantial development in the sports sector. He mentioned that sports infrastructure has been developed in many districts of the country, athletes and coaches have been encouraged, and transparency has been introduced in the selection process, which has enhanced the reputation of Indian sports globally, Shah said.
The minister said that mountainous State like Uttarakhand has successfully organised such a large event, which indicates that every State in India is not only ready to play but also prepared to strengthen its sports infrastructure. He said that by utilising the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), many of our athletes are preparing for great success in the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Shri Shah mentioned that India is ready to host the Olympics in 2036. “We have made our bid to host the Olympic Games, and we are confident that when the Olympics are held in India in 2036, the athletes participating in this sports mega event in Uttarakhand will win medals, thereby bringing glory to the tricolor and the national anthem,” he said.
