Uttarakhand: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the MP Sports Festival and said that Pauri will become a high-altitude sports hub

India’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahotsav (Parliamentary Sports Festival) at Kandoliya Ground in Pauri district. On this occasion, he called for strengthening the sports culture among the youth, stating that sports are an effective medium for nation-building and that the central government is committed to developing Pauri as a high-altitude sports hub. The Union Minister said that the Sansad Khel Mahotsav will provide a fair and transparent platform for young athletes. He further added that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the sports culture is being strengthened at the grassroots level across the country. He expressed confidence that the talented players emerging from this festival will represent the country in international competitions, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Dr. Mandaviya said that a victory on the sports field is not just a victory for one player, but for the entire nation.

He informed that a study on the sports infrastructure gap across the country is underway, and Pauri district will also be specifically included in this study for the development of sports infrastructure. Responding positively to the demands raised by the Garhwal MP, the Union Minister said that every possible effort will be made to develop sports infrastructure, keeping in mind the high-altitude geographical conditions. During this time, he also informed that a synthetic athletic track is being constructed in Joshimath at a cost of Rs. 8 crore, which will provide modern training facilities to the athletes of the region.

Garhwal MP Anil Baluni said that the Sansad Khel Mahotsav is a matter of pride for Pauri district. This event realizes the Prime Minister’s vision of identifying talented youth and providing them with opportunities to excel. MP Baluni said that India has been given the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games and has also bid to host the Olympic Games, which reflects India’s growing stature in the field of sports.

He said that Pauri district is an ideal location for high-altitude training, where players from various states of the country come for training. On this occasion, he requested the Union Minister for the central government’s support in developing the entire region as a ‘Centre of Excellence’, establishing a swimming institute, and developing Auli into an international-level sports platform with the aim of promoting winter sports.