CM Dhami Launches ‘MP Sports Festival’ to Unearth Talent from Uttarakhand’s Villages

Dehradun, October 27, 2025: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the MP Sports Festival at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Tapovan, Dehradun, on Monday, marking a major step toward identifying and nurturing sporting talent from the remotest corners of the state.

The event, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a global sports powerhouse, aims to bring hidden rural talent into the national spotlight. The festival will be conducted in three phases across Uttarakhand, built around the central theme — “Fit India – Sports India – Strong India.”

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dhami reaffirmed the state’s dedication to strengthening its sports ecosystem. “Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, India is achieving new global heights in sports,” he said. Dhami lauded Uttarakhand athletes for their record-breaking performance at the 38th National Games, where they secured 103 medals — the state’s best-ever tally.

Highlighting the state’s growing sports infrastructure, Dhami announced that 23 new sports academies will be established across eight major cities under the Sports Legacy Plan. These academies aim to train over 900 world-class athletes each year. He added that work is progressing rapidly on Uttarakhand’s first Sports University in Haldwani and a dedicated Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that a new state sports policy has been introduced to provide incentives for athletes, including out-of-turn government jobs for national and international medal winners. “Our goal is to build a strong sporting foundation where every young athlete gets the opportunity to shine,” Dhami said.

Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal praised the initiative, calling it a vital effort to nurture young talent and strengthen India’s global sporting presence. He announced that funds from his MP Local Area Development Scheme would be allocated for building new volleyball and badminton courts at the host school, along with aid for upgrading mess facilities.

The event also witnessed the participation of MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, and several other public representatives, signaling a united push to make sports a part of Uttarakhand’s development vision from the grassroots level.