Chief Minister Dhami and Sports Minister Rekha Arya Inaugurate State-Level Sports Mahakumbh
Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and Sports Minister Rekha Arya officially launched the state-level Sports Mahakumbh, which has attracted 12,000 athletes from across the state to participate in various sports disciplines. Events like the Sports Mahakumbh are helping to discover outstanding athletes, and our government has changed both the mindset and approach towards sports in society, said Rekha Arya. Today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Sports Minister Rekha Arya inaugurated the Sports Mahakumbh at the mini stadium in Noor Khera. The event kicked off with a march past by athletes grouped by district. Following this, participants showcased their skills in traditional sports such as Mallakhamb, Pittu, Murga Jhapta, and Yoga.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Dhami stated that this event provides an unprecedented platform for athletes in the state, and our government is working at every level to promote sports and athletes. He mentioned that the government is now offering ‘out of turn’ government jobs to athletes and has also increased the honorarium for them. Sports Minister Rekha Arya added that events like the Sports Mahakumbh are giving a new dimension to the sports culture in the state. This initiative is not only producing excellent athletes for the state but is also fostering a new social sentiment towards sports in Uttarakhand. Arya emphasized that the government has worked to change society’s mindset and approach towards sports.
Starting from the level of local councils, this Sports Mahakumbh has seen participation from around 450,000 athletes, with 12,000 reaching the state-level competition. Minister Rekha Arya expressed confidence that these talented athletes will not only shine in the state but will also bring recognition to Uttarakhand at the national and international levels.
In her address, Arya assured that the government is committed to supporting athletes. They are continuously expanding sports facilities and increasing opportunities and recognition for athletes. She announced that any athlete who breaks a national record during this Sports Mahakumbh will receive a cash prize of ₹100,000. Arya urged athletes to focus solely on their performance, assuring them that the responsibility of supporting them lies with the government.
During the event, Chief Minister Dhami confirmed a previous promise made to athletes by announcing that medal winners in the state-level competition of the Sports Mahakumbh will also benefit from 4% sports reservation. Afterward, both the Chief Minister and Sports Minister Rekha Arya honored athletes who have excelled at national and international levels by presenting them with checks for incentive funds. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Raipur MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, Special Sports Secretary Amit Sinha, Director of Sports and Youth Welfare Prashant Arya, along with senior officials from the department and athletes from across the state.
