Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy concluded, Dhami participated, said- this competition marks the beginning of a new era of winter sports in India
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the closing ceremony of the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy-2025 organized by the Ice Skating Association of India at Himadri Ice Rink Silver Jubilee Sports Complex Raipur, Dehradun. The Chief Minister presented the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Championship Trophy to Thailand. Welcoming the players and sports lovers from all over the country to Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that it is a matter of great pride that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has got the opportunity to host this international winter sports competition being organized for the first time in India. The Chief Minister said that in this international competition, more than 200 players from 11 countries of Asia participated in 9 different competitions and thrilled the audience with their excellent performance.
The Chief Minister said that the players of India have displayed excellent sports skills and won many medals including 4 gold medals. There is full confidence that this competition will mark the beginning of a new era of winter sports in India and will inspire our players to perform excellently at the international level. The Chief Minister said that since the beginning of his tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working to promote sports culture in the country through programs like Khelo India and Fit India Movement. Under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, India is touching new heights in the field of sports and is making its unique identity on the global stage. Under his guidance, our government is also making continuous efforts to promote sports culture in the state and encourage players. The Chief Minister said that the grand and successful organization of the 38th National Games held in our state this year has paved the way to establish Uttarakhand as “Devbhoomi” as well as “Khelbhoomi”. In these games, the players of Uttarakhand have created a new history by winning 103 medals and securing 7th position in the National Games for the first time.
The Chief Minister said that along with building a state-of-the-art stadium in Uttarakhand at a cost of Rs 517 crore, world-class sports infrastructure has been developed in Uttarakhand by bringing international level sports equipment at a cost of about Rs 100 crore. As a result of this, today Uttarakhand is becoming an important place for organizing not only national but also international sports competitions. Along with this, today these world-class stadiums and sports facilities have become a strong base for the training of the players of the state.
The Chief Minister said that with the aim of establishing Devbhoomi Uttarakhand as a sports land, our government has renovated this Himadri Ice Rink, which was closed for years, and dedicated it again to the players. This is the country’s only Olympic ice rink. It is a standard ice rink, in which state-of-the-art arrangements have been made for the training of players and organizing international competitions. Today, after 14 years, organizing an international sports competition on this rink again is a matter of pride not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire country.
The Chief Minister said that our government is also going to implement the Sports Legacy Plan in the state to promote sports, under which 23 sports academies will be established in 8 cities of the state. We are also working rapidly towards establishing the first sports university and women’s sports college in the state. Our government has implemented a new sports policy with the aim of overall development of sports in the state and encouraging players. Under this policy, out of turn government jobs are being provided to medal winning players at national and international level. Along with this, our government is working to encourage the emerging young players of the state through programs like Chief Minister Sports Development Fund, Chief Minister Khiladi Protsahan Yojana, Chief Minister Udyaman Khiladi Yojana and Sports Kit Yojana. We are promoting the ability of players by providing ‘Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award’ and ‘Himalay Khel Ratna Award’. are also honouring them. Apart from this, we have re-implemented 4 percent sports quota for players in the state government services, so that the hard work and excellence of our players can get proper opportunity and respect. On this occasion, Special Secretary Amit Sinha, Ice Skating Association of India President Amitabh Sharma and other officials, Asian Skating Union, Uttarakhand Ice Skating Association officials, organizers and sports department officials, players and trainers along with a large number of spectators were present.
