Chief Minister inaugurates Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Almora

*Announcements include multipurpose artificial turf ground, 200 solar lights and hostel construction*

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Almora on Monday. During the programme, he inaugurated football and badminton competitions and honoured international cricketer Ekta Bisht along with sports coaches.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that with the objective of promoting sports talent in Almora district, a multipurpose artificial turf ground for hockey and football will be constructed at the G.I.C. Ground for both day and night use. To strengthen the lighting system in the Municipal Corporation area and promote clean and green energy, 200 solar lights will be installed. A 50-bed hostel will be constructed at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Stadium, Almora. In addition, the badminton court at the stadium will be renovated as per international standards.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the youth power of India is the nation’s greatest asset, possessing the capability to realise the dream of a strong, prosperous and self-reliant India through hard work, talent and determination. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to build a ‘Developed and Self-Reliant India’ by recognising youth power as national power. Inspired by this vision, the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, being organised on the theme “Fit Yuva for Vikasit India”, is not merely a sports competition but a mega campaign to promote sports culture across the country.

The event will provide a strong platform for taking hidden sports talent from villages to national and international levels, while also fostering discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and resilience among the youth.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is continuously promoting sports culture in the country through initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement. Under his guidance, the state government is also actively working to strengthen sports culture in Uttarakhand. With the grand and successful organisation of the 38th National Games, Uttarakhand has established itself not only as Devbhoomi (Land of Gods) but also as Khelbhoomi (Land of Sports). Players from the state created history by winning 103 medals at the National Games. He said that Uttarakhand is today counted among the leading states of the country in terms of world-class sports infrastructure and is increasingly emerging as a preferred destination for hosting national as well as international sporting events.

The Chief Minister also informed that the state government will soon implement a Sports Legacy Plan, under which 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities of the state. He further informed that work is progressing at a rapid pace on Uttarakhand’s first sports university in Haldwani, along with the establishment of a dedicated women’s sports college in Lohaghat. A new sports policy has also been implemented to ensure holistic development of sports and encourage athletes, under which medal-winning players at national and international levels are being provided out-of-turn government jobs. He noted that emerging young players are being continuously encouraged through schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Khel Vikas Nidhi, Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsaahan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Udiyamaan Khiladi Yojana and Khel Kit Yojana.

Further, the Chief Minister said that several important schemes are also being implemented for the overall development of Almora and to improve tourism, employment and connectivity. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, more than 250 kilometres of roads have been constructed in Almora district over the past four years. In addition, construction and renovation of various motor roads have been carried out at a cost of several hundred crore rupees. The Almora–Pauri Garhwal–Rudraprayag road has been constructed at a cost of approximately ₹400 crore, while approval has been granted for the widening of the Almora–Bageshwar road at a cost of about ₹922 crore.

Under the UDAN Scheme, heli services have been launched in Almora to promote tourism and improve accessibility. A heliport is being constructed at Phalsima, which will further enhance air connectivity in the region. To strengthen drinking water supply, work on a reservoir project on the Gagaas River is underway at a cost of ₹31.27 crore. To augment health services, 100 new MBBS seats have been added at the Soban Singh Jeena Medical Institute along with the addition of 36 ICU beds, which will significantly improve medical facilities in the region.

During the programme, Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Municipal Corporation Mayor Ajay Verma, Jageshwar MLA Mohan Singh Mehra, Vice Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurship Council Ganga Bisht, District Panchayat Chairperson Hema Gaida, former MLA Kailash Sharma, former MLA Raghunath Singh Chauhan, BJP District President Mahesh Nayal, along with several other public representatives, were present.