PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
“The State government is going all-out to develop strong and modern sports infrastructure for the youth to excel in all categories of sports,” said the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami while inaugurating the ‘Khel Mahakumbh – Mukhyamantri Championship Trophy-2026’ at the Kailash Chandra Gahtori sports stadium in Tanakpur under Champawat district on Tuesday. He handed over the torch to a player Gehna Mahar.
“Khel Mahakumbh is becoming a powerful medium to spot and hone talent from the rural areas to the State, national and international levels. Sports is an important foundation for the bright future of the State’s youth,” he stated.
He further said that Khel Mahakumbh had been launched in 2017 to provide a platform to the hidden sports talent in every village. “Today it has entered its tenth edition. Last year, more than 2.20 lakh athletes participated and this year it has been given a more comprehensive format. Athletes will get an opportunity to showcase talent through competitions starting from Nyay Panchayat to Vidhan Sabha, Lok Sabha and State level,” he said.
Cash prizes are being given to winners from Nyay Panchayat to the State level. This year the prize money totalling about Rs 11 crore will be transferred directly to athletes’ bank accounts via DBT, CM informed and added that the medal-winners at State-level competitions would also avail four per cent horizontal reservation in government services from this year.
He further mentioned that under the new sports policy, athletes winning medals at national and international levels are being given out-of-turn government jobs. “So far, 29 athletes have been appointed and the process of employing medal winners of 38th National Games is continuing,” he said. Besides, Chief Minister’s Sports Development Fund. Chief Minister’s Emerging Players Development Scheme and the monthly scholarships for children aged between eight to 14 years also found mention in the CM’s address.
Speaking on the occasion, the Sports and Youth Welfare minister Rekha Arya urged the players to pursue goals, saying that they were leaving no stone unturned to provide sports facilities and better training.
Notably, under Khel Mahakumbh-2026, competitions will be held at Nyay Panchayat level from September 1 to 10, MLA Championship Trophy from September 11 to 20, MP Championship Trophy from September 21 to 30 and State-level Mukhyamantri Championship Trophy from October 10 to 30. Boys and girls of different age groups along with women in open and differently-abled categories will participate in various disciplines.
