CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Lays Foundation for First Phase of Uttarakhand State Sports University on National Sports Day
₹43.50-crore construction works inaugurated; first academic session of the university also launched
Medal-winning athletes and coaches honoured; sports scholarships transferred to emerging players through DBT
Haldwani, August 29, 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the first phase of construction of the Uttarakhand State Sports University and Mansakhand Sports Complex at Gaulapar, Haldwani, on the occasion of National Sports Day-2026, marking the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation for construction works worth ₹43.50 crore and also formally inaugurated the first academic session of the Uttarakhand State Sports University. The university is expected to provide athletes from the state with access to specialised sports education, modern training facilities and better opportunities within Uttarakhand itself.
On the occasion, Dhami felicitated and rewarded medal-winning athletes and their coaches for outstanding performances at national and international competitions. He also presented various sports awards, including the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Himalayan Ratna Award.
Sports scholarships under the Mukhyamantri Udyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana were also transferred to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Uttarakhand to be developed as a leading ‘Sports State’
Extending National Sports Day greetings to the people of Uttarakhand and the sporting fraternity, Chief Minister Dhami said the foundation stone for the first phase of the Sports University and the launch of its first academic session mark a new chapter in the state’s sporting history.
He said the initiative would give a new direction and momentum to the dreams of young athletes and reaffirm the government’s commitment to establishing Uttarakhand as one of the country’s leading sporting states and developing it as a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ (land of sports).
Dhami said that the establishment of the State Sports University is a significant milestone for Uttarakhand’s sports sector. Until now, athletes from the state often had to travel to other states for advanced sports education and specialised training. With the new university, they will be able to access high-quality sports education, modern training and better career opportunities in their home state.
He expressed confidence that the university would emerge as a major centre for producing a new generation of national and international-level athletes.
Major Dhyan Chand remembered as an icon of discipline and dedication
Paying tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, the Chief Minister said he was not only a great sportsperson but also an embodiment of discipline, dedication and patriotism.
Dhyan Chand enhanced India’s prestige across the world through his extraordinary sporting skills, he said, adding that his life continues to inspire young people to understand that talent can be transformed into excellence only through hard work, discipline and dedication.
Scholarships and financial assistance for young athletes
Dhami said the Mukhyamantri Udyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana provides monthly sports scholarships to athletes in the 8-14 age group.
Under the Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana, athletes aged 14 to 23 years receive monthly sports scholarships as well as financial assistance for purchasing sports equipment.
The state has also introduced provisions for insurance and financial assistance for athletes in cases of sports injuries and other emergencies, he said.
The Chief Minister described the sports scholarship as more than financial assistance, saying it would provide emerging sporting talent with the support needed to pursue their dreams.
29 athletes appointed to government service
The Chief Minister said the state government has established the Mukhyamantri Khel Vikas Nidhi to identify talented athletes, provide them with better training and promote local and traditional sports.
A provision has also been made for out-of-turn government appointments for athletes who win medals at national and international competitions.
Under this provision, 29 athletes have so far been appointed to government service, while the process of providing employment in various departments to medal winners of the 38th National Games is also progressing rapidly.
23 new high-tech sports academies planned
Dhami said the state government is working to strengthen sports infrastructure across Uttarakhand.
The state’s first Girls’ Sports College is already operational in Lohaghat. He added that a draft of the Uttarakhand Sports Policy-2026 has been prepared and will be implemented after approval by the state Cabinet.
Under the ‘One District-One Sport’ initiative, special emphasis is being placed on developing a distinctive sporting identity for every district and promoting local sporting talent.
The government is also working towards establishing 23 new high-tech sports academies across different parts of the state for various sporting disciplines.
Special roadmap for 2027 National Games and Olympic 2036
The Chief Minister said the state government is already working on a special roadmap aimed at securing a larger medal haul for Uttarakhand in the 2027 National Games and ensuring a strong representation of the state’s athletes at the Olympics 2036.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new sporting ecosystem has emerged in the country.
Initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement have created opportunities for sporting talent from villages, remote mountainous areas and ordinary families to emerge at national and international platforms.
Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision, the Uttarakhand government is working with determination to establish the state as a major sporting hub, Dhami said.
‘Mauli AI Application’ to monitor fitness of emerging athletes
Highlighting the growing role of technology in sports, Dhami said modern technological tools can significantly improve athlete performance and fitness.
With this objective, the ‘Mauli AI Application’ has been developed to enable regular assessment of the fitness levels of emerging athletes.
The state will increasingly adopt modern sports technologies to improve the skills, fitness and overall performance of athletes, he added.
‘Pahad ki Jawani’ to be channelled through sports
The Chief Minister said sports can play a powerful role in making productive use of the energy and potential of Uttarakhand’s youth.
“Pahad ka paani aur pahad ki jawani” — the water and youth of the mountains — must be utilised in the right direction, he said, emphasising that Uttarakhand’s young people possess immense talent and energy.
The government, he added, is committed to providing them with the right platform, modern resources, quality coaching and adequate opportunities.
Dhami urged athletes to give their 100 per cent on the field with hard work and dedication. He assured that lack of resources, financial difficulties or inadequate opportunities would not be allowed to become barriers to the dreams of talented athletes.
He called upon Uttarakhand’s athletes to remain as steadfast as the Himalayas and bring glory not only to the state but also to India on the global stage.
Athletes and coaches honoured with Devbhoomi Sports Awards
During the National Sports Day celebrations, outstanding athletes and coaches were honoured with various awards for 2024 and 2025.
For 2024, athletics athlete Ankita was conferred the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award, while athletics coach Lokesh Chaudhary received the Dronacharya Award.
For 2025, shooting athlete Abhinav Deshwal received the Khel Ratna Award, kayaking and canoeing coach Mukesh Sharma received the Dronacharya Award, and boxing coach Mukesh Chandra Belwal was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the para category, shooting athlete Shaurya Saini received the Himalayan Ratna Award.
In modern pentathlon team category, Saksham Pratap Singh and Mamta Khati, while in the individual boxing category Khushi Chand, were honoured with the Himalayan Khel Ratna Award.
All awardees were presented with cash prizes along with certificates of appreciation, blazers and shawls.
National and international medal winners rewarded
Athletes and coaches who delivered outstanding performances at national and international competitions were also presented cash awards during the National Sports Day programme.
The athletes honoured included Ankita in athletics, Khushi Chand in boxing, Manisha Chauhan in hockey, Rafiq Ahmed in volleyball, Bhumika and Rahul Singh in kabaddi, Chirag Baretha, Manoj Sarkar and Mandeep Kaur in badminton, Saksham Pratap Singh in modern pentathlon, Shefali Rawat in blind football, Nilima Rai in para lawn bowls, and shooters Aryavansh Tyagi and Bhoomi.
Among the coaches honoured were athletics coach Lokesh Kumar, boxing coach Bijendra Mall, shooting coach Amit, volleyball coach Girish Kumar and kabaddi coach Nitin Kumar.
Sports Minister Rekha Arya and other dignitaries attend
Sports Minister Rekha Arya, MP Ajay Bhatt and MLA Dr Mohan Singh Bisht also addressed the gathering.
The programme was attended by MLA Ram Singh Kaida, MLA Sarita Arya, District Panchayat Chairperson Deepa Darmawal, Haldwani Mayor Gajraj Singh Bisht, office bearers and nominated representatives, Uttarakhand Olympic Association President Mahesh Negi, Special Principal Secretary (Sports) Amit Kumar Sinha, Kumaon Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Rawat, IG Nivedita Kukreti, District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Ryal, Director Sports Deepti Singh, SSP Dr Manjunath T.C., CDO Arvind Kumar Pandey, along with public representatives, officials, sportspersons, coaches and sports enthusiasts.
The launch of the university’s first academic session and the foundation stone ceremony mark a significant step in Uttarakhand’s efforts to build a stronger sports ecosystem and create pathways for athletes to compete at the national and international levels.
