Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/HALDWANI
Uttarakhand has not become ‘Devbhoomi to Khelbhoomi’ just by hosting the National Games, but through the dedicated efforts of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. His commitment to developing sports infrastructure in every district has been instrumental in this transformation. Most importantly, under his leadership, Uttarakhand has risen from 21st place to an impressive seventh place in the national rankings.
I congratulate all the athletes of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand for their outstanding performance in this event. Their hard work and dedication have truly turned ‘Devbhoomi’ into ‘Khelbhoomi.’
In a stirring address at the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games in Haldwani, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the leadership of Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya for steering India to unprecedented heights in sports. Shah congratulated the nation for setting new records in various sporting events across the country, emphasizing that success in sports is not just about physical strength but the result of strong determination and a resilient mindset. As he reached to Haldwani then CM Pushkar Singh Dhami received him.
Reflecting on the transformative work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance the nation’s sporting spirit, Shah highlighted how the youth have developed a deep love for sports under Modi’s leadership. He noted that players across India now refer to Modi as ‘Param Mitra’ due to his continuous efforts to uplift sports.
One of the most remarkable achievements, Shah pointed out, was the rise in the country’s sports budget. In 2014, the sports budget stood at Rs 800 crore, but under Modi’s leadership, it has skyrocketed to Rs 3800 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a significant boost to India’s sporting infrastructure.
Amit Shah also highlighted India’s progress in international sports events, mentioning the country’s remarkable achievements in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Para Asian Games. From winning 15 medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, India has risen to 26 medals, and from 57 medals in the Asian Games, India now boasts 107. In the Para Asian Games, India’s tally has surged from 33 to 111 medals.
Looking ahead, Shah expressed confidence in India’s readiness to host the 2036 Olympics. He affirmed that athletes from all over the country, including Uttarakhand, will bring home medals, further enhancing India’s pride on the global stage.
