The State Government is committed to provide all kinds of assistance to the State’s sportspersons despite its limited resources. The Uttarakhand is going to host the National Games-2018 in the State. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this on Saturday after honouring the sportspersons, who have earned medals at the national and international arena in 2014, trainers and sports authority officials at the Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday.The State Sports Department hosted the function.
The CM said they are also launching roadmap for the National Games-2018 through this programme. This should be basic document, which is compilation of recommendation made by the sportspersons, instructors and famous sports personalities. This event was organised to express sentiments of the Uttarakhand residents towards their sportspersons.
Averring that the State Government is prepared for the National Games, the CM said that an international stadium is being built in Haldwani and will be completed by November 2016. Meanwhile, the state would organise rural sports in 2015, institutional games in 2016 and sports on experimental basis in 2017.
To motivate the sportspersons, the State would organise conditioning camps at Pauri and Munsyari. He also instructed sports department to prepare sports calendar by 2017.
The State Government has asked for a sports journal to be prepared. This would help our sportspersons to know about how national and international players are making their mark. We feel the need of sports experts. Instructors should be appointed to train our youth on time. He asked sports department to keep organising such events at regular intervals. He expressed hope that Uttarakhand would come as a sports power through the National Games-2018.
Sports Minister Dinesh Aggrawal said that since inception of Uttarakhand, this is the first time such an event to honour sportspersons has been organised. Although we respect our sportsperson we have limited resources. However, the Chief Minister’s interest towards sports has motivated us a lot, he said, adding the state would shine through the National Game-2018 with the CM being the fount of inspiration. For this, we are working hard to create sports infrastructure in the state, he said.
Famous wrestler Dilip Singh Rawat, also known as Great Khali, who was a special invitee, appreciated the efforts of the Chief Minister and his dedication towards sports. He further said that if the people have the same zeal for sports as the Chief Minister has no power can stop the State from becoming a sports power. He also said that he is going to organise WWE in Dehradun and this would be first such event here. Cash awards worth around Rs 1.5 crore was distributed among 500 sportspersons, who have earned laurels for Uttarakhand in national and international sports events. Other dignitaries including Olympic Association general secretary Rajeev Mehta, Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Singh Mahra, MlA Chandan Ram Das and sports secretary Shailesh Bagoli were present on the occasion.