Grand Launch of the National Games Mascot: Yoga and Mallakhamb Now Part of the National Sports

Dehradun: During the grand ceremony for the mascot of the 38th National Games, two traditional sports, yoga and mallakhamb, have officially been included as part of the national games. The Indian Olympic Association accepted the request made by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. At the ceremony held on Sunday, Dr. P.T. Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association, announced this exciting news. On this occasion, the Chief Minister launched the mascot symbol Mauli, along with the logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline for the 38th National Games. The tagline for the games is “Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak,” which translates to “From Resolution to Summit.”

At the event held at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun, the Chief Minister stated that this day marks a historic moment in Uttarakhand’s sports history. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of all residents of Uttarakhand for the opportunity to host the National Games. The Chief Minister mentioned that the beautiful logo of the National Games showcases the diverse colors of Uttarakhand to the entire country. The anthem not only represents our unity but also inspires athletes to work even harder. The mascot, Monal, symbolizes the uniqueness of our state and encourages young athletes to strive for great goals. The logo is inspired by our state bird, the Monal, which will carry the colors of Uttarakhand’s natural beauty and diversity to every corner of India. The beautiful torch of the National Games, once lit, will travel across the state as a symbol of unity and collective effort, helping to foster a spirit of sportsmanship and sports culture in society.

As the chief guest, the Chief Minister emphasized that our resolve should be unwavering. It is through determination that we can achieve any goal. He stated that the state is now fully prepared for the successful organization of the 38th National Games. The state government has allocated nearly ₹500 crores for infrastructure improvements, which will include the construction of new sports fields, renovation of stadiums and swimming pools, development of infrastructure for water sports, cycling tracks, and shooting ranges. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government is building small sports stadiums in mountainous areas, providing local athletes with opportunities to showcase their talents. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, innovative efforts are being made at every level to establish India as a sports powerhouse. Initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India have helped create a robust sports ecosystem. He added that the state government is continuously working to encourage sports and athletes, implementing a new sports policy that offers government jobs to athletes who win medals at national and international levels.