There is lot of sports talent in the Uttarakhand and it needs to be provided proper platforms.
Olympian Manish Rawat is one such example who has become a role model for the youngsters of the State, said the Governor of Uttarakhand Krishan Kant Paul on the occasion of inauguration of Inter University sports meet at Doon University here on Thursday.
He said that studies and sports both contribute towards building a well-balanced personality.Congratulating Doon University for organizing the event, the Governor said that efforts are being made to make universities of the State as centres for quality education, original research and sports activity.
He said the universities were places where students must be able to develop their personalities in many ways. The Governor suggested that an inter-college T-20 cricket tournament can be organized in the state so that new talent could get a platform to exhibit itself.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said sports are very important for physical as well as mental fitness. He thanked the Governor for the initiative of starting an inter-university sports meet in the state and declared that state government would giveRs 11 lakh for this event.
He appreciated the march past and said that it reflected the energy and positivity of the young participants. The CM expressed the hope that many of these youngsters would play for the country and State.
State Minister for Higher education, Dhan Singh Rawat said that the Uttarakhand government is determined to make the state one of the leading state in the field of higher education. He said now all state universities would actively participate in the all Indian cleanliness rankings.
The Minister claimed that Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to have Principals in all its degree colleges.
Earlier in the day the Governor and Chief Minister declared the event open by releasing balloons in the air. Before the inaugural match, they met the players and wished them luck. About 800 players from ten universities are participating in the meet.
The Mayor of Dehradun Vinod Chamoli, secretary to the Governor, Ravinath Raman, and Vice Chancellors of various State universities were also present on the occasion.