PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Uttarakhand is quickly becoming a sports hub following the successful hosting of the 38th National Games. He said this during the inauguration of the 50th Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship at Parade Ground here on Saturday.
The championship features over 1,000 players from 54 teams from across 28 States, running till October 10. The CM congratulated the Basketball Federation of India and the Uttarakhand Basketball Association for organising this inaugural event in the State, marking a proud and historic moment for the State. He highlighted that sports contribute to character building, patience, discipline and team spirit.
CM said that initiatives like Khelo India and the Fit India Movement, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have generated new awareness about sports in the country, helping India reach new heights in the sports arena. Dhami further added that world-class sports infrastructure is being developed in the State at a cost of Rs 517 crore. A sports legacy plan will soon be rolled out, featuring 23 sports academies in eight major cities, along with the establishment of the first Sports University in Haldwani and a Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat, he said.
He further added that under the new sports policy, various initiatives are set to benefit athletes, including government jobs for national and international medal winners, the “Player Incentive Scheme,” provision of sports kits, State-level awards and the restoration of the four per cent sports quota. Recently, on National Sports Day, exceptional athletes received honorariums amounting to Rs 50 lakh.
On this occasion, Dhami instructed the Dehradun district magistrate to locate land for a basketball training academy in Dehradun. Additionally, CM also directed to establish a training facility near the upcoming Sports University in Haldwani. He also directed the Sports department to implement necessary steps for organising basketball competitions regularly, similar to other sports.
