PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday attended the closing ceremony of Mukhyamantri Championship Trophy (Khel Mahakumbh) at Mini Stadium, Nanurkheda, Dehradun where he awarded the trophy to Dehradun district along with Rs five lakh prize money.
CM also launched meroyuva.in the portal. An attractive demonstration of Malkhamb and Artistic Yoga was held at the ceremony. He said that the journey of Khel Mahakumbh, which began on September 1 in Tanakpur, Champawat, reached State level via Nyay Panchayat, Vidhan Sabha and Parliamentary constituency levels.
Dhami said that Last year approximately 2.20 lakh players participated in Khel Mahakumbh, while this year the number has increased to more than 3.35 lakh. This growing participation demonstrates that Khel Mahakumbh has become a mass movement for sports in the State.
He added that this year 32 competitions under Mukhyamantri Championship Trophy were held in the State’s 662 Nyay Panchayats, all 70 Assembly constituencies, at parliamentary constituency level and at State level. He noted that MPs, MLAs and local public representatives actively participated in the event.
CM said that the State government is striving to ensure that no talented player is left behind due to lack of opportunities and resources. Cash prizes are being awarded to winning players from Nyay Panchayat to State level. This year prize money of approximately Rs 11.30 crore is being transferred directly to players’ bank accounts through DBT. He said the State Government has also decided to provide the benefit of four percent horizontal reservation in direct recruitment posts to eligible players who win medals in the state-level competitions of Mukhyamntri Championship Trophy, under prescribed rules.
He added that the State Government is also working to provide athletes with better training, necessary resources and opportunities for advancement. He said that the State’s athletes brought glory to the State by performing exceptionally well at the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand last year.
Further, Sports minister Rekha Arya said that under the leadership of CM, continuous efforts are being made to encourage sports and players in the State. Through Mukhyamantri Udayman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana, selected players are being provided scholarships and financial assistance for sports equipment. Modern sports facilities are being expanded in the State. Girls’ Sports College has been started in Lohaghat. Work is also being done towards establishing a State Sports University and modern sports academies, she said.
