New Delhi: Union Minister Amit Shah announced that Uttarakhand has moved up from 25th to 7th place on the national sports map during the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games.
At the Friday event held at the International Sports Stadium in Golapar, Haldwani, Shah stated that under the leadership of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state has effectively developed sports infrastructure across all districts. He also recognised the top three teams from the games with Services, the Indian Armed Forces team, at the top, followed by Maharashtra and Haryana.
“The athletes from this state have transformed it from the land of gods into a land of sports,” said the Union Home Minister, honoring Uttarakhand’s four sacred shrines.
Shah stressed that in sports, victory and defeat are secondary; the important message is to build the spirit of victory and resilience in the face of setbacks. He urged athletes who didn’t win this time to work towards future victories.
The 38th National Games were officially concluded by Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha, in the presence of Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, and MP Ajay Bhatt.
Over 16,000 athletes participated across 35 sports disciplines, claiming 448 gold, 448 silver, and 594 bronze medals. Uttarakhand was in the 7th position with a record 103 medals, including 24 golds, CM Dhami said.
The competitions took place in both urban and remote locations, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur, Haldwani, Rishikesh, Almora, Pithoragarh, and Tehri, with even small towns like Chakarpur hosting major events.
Water sports were held in Uttarakhand’s high-altitude lakes and rivers. Instead of temporary facilities, permanent sports infrastructure was developed at multiple venues.
For the first time, traditional sports like yoga and Mallakhamb were included in the National Games. A world record was also set with a nighttime river rafting competition.
Shah confirmed that the National Games torch would be handed over to Meghalaya, where Sangma plans to host sports events across Northeast India to promote the region in the field of sports.
Green initiatives
Shah mentioned that under CM Dhami’s leadership, the 38th National Games adopted eco-friendly measures. Trees were planted to honor athletes, and several national records were broken, boosting expectations for India’s performance in international events.
CM Dhami pointed out that the National Games in Uttarakhand were designated as ‘Green Games,’ focusing on reducing plastic usage and utilising solar energy.
Medals were created from e-waste, sports kits were made from recycled materials, electric vehicles were used for transport, and a 2.77-hectare ‘Sports Forest’ was created, with Rudraksha trees planted in honor of medal-winning athletes.
‘India ready to host the 2036 Olympics’
Shah emphasised the government’s work in improving sports infrastructure, providing coaching, and ensuring a transparent selection process, which has strengthened India’s global sports standing.
Through the ‘Fit India’ and the ‘Khelo India’ initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has motivated youth to engage in sports, promoting resilience and determination, Shah said.
The Union Minister also pointed out that India’s sports budget has grown from ₹800 crores in 2014 to ₹3,800 crores for 2025-2026, supporting improved infrastructure and a greater drive for success.
Shah noted that the successful hosting of the National Games in Uttarakhand, a small hilly state, shows India’s readiness for large-scale sporting events. He expressed confidence that India is ready to host the 2036 Olympics.
The Union Home Minister also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack on its 6th anniversary, stating that their sacrifices have strengthened national security. He emphasised that, under PM Modi’s leadership, India shifted global perceptions and sent a strong message to its adversaries through its airstrike on Pakistan.
Among other attendees, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that Uttarakhand is now a “sports land” in addition to being the “land of gods” and that India was on the way to becoming a global sports hub.
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