Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the newly built Van Chetna Kendra Sports Stadium in Chakarpur, Khatima, on Thursday. The stadium, built at a cost of ₹1615.62 lakh, was announced by Dhami in 2017 when he was an MLA. Despite several obstacles, the project was completed, and Dhami expressed his joy at being able to inaugurate it as the Chief Minister. He believes the stadium will provide a platform for local youth to showcase their talents and bring pride to Khatima and the entire state at national and international levels.The stadium is equipped with modern facilities, including courts for basketball, football, volleyball, and kabaddi, as well as a hostel for players and a multipurpose hall for indoor events. The upcoming national games will feature a Mallakhamb competition at this new venue. Dhami hopes the event will boost interest and enthusiasm for sports among the youth.He emphasized the importance of sports for physical and mental development and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives like ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India Movement’ for promoting a sports culture in the country. Under Modi’s leadership, India has reached new heights in sports and gained a unique identity on the global stage.The state government, guided by Modi, is continuously working to promote sports culture and support athletes. The new sports policy offers government jobs to national and international medalists, free training and education for residential sports college players, and sports scholarships. Programs like the Chief Minister’s Sports Development Fund and the Chief Minister’s Emerging Player Scheme are also in place to encourage young athletes.The government has also introduced a 4% reservation for athletes and doubled the prize money. Plans are underway to establish a sports university in the state to provide world-class training and facilities. Uttarakhand is now recognized not only as the land of gods and heroes but also as a land of sports. The 38th National Games, starting on January 28, will be themed ‘Green Games’ to promote environmental conservation.Dhami is confident that the National Games will energize the youth of the state. He promised that this year’s games will be historic and elevate Uttarakhand’s reputation in the sports world. Dhami, who began his public service journey in Khatima, expressed his deep connection to the area and its people. He also interacted with Mallakhamb players and praised their talent. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including MLA Bhuvan Chandra Kapri, Minister Anil Kapoor Dabbu, BJP District President Kamal Jindal, and others.
