GG News Bureau
Haldwani, 15th Feb. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, highlighting India’s growing stature in global sports and reiterating the country’s readiness to host the 2036 Olympics.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to sports, Shah said that the Prime Minister has transformed the nation’s sporting infrastructure, with athletes now referring to him as ‘Khel Mitra’. He credited initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India for fostering a strong sports culture among the youth.
He lauded Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for developing sports facilities across districts, turning Dev Bhoomi into ‘Khel Bhoomi’. Uttarakhand has moved up from 21st to 7th place in national sports infrastructure rankings.
India’s Rising Global Sporting Profile
Shah emphasized India’s achievements in international competitions, noting that:
- Commonwealth Games medals increased from 15 in 2014 to 26 now.
- Asian Games medals rose from 57 in 2014 to 107.
- Para Asian Games medals surged from 33 to 111.
He also pointed out that India’s sports budget has expanded from ₹800 crore in 2014 to ₹3,800 crore for 2025-26, ensuring better infrastructure, coaching, and athlete support.
Hosting the 2036 Olympics
Amit Shah reiterated India’s commitment to bringing the Olympics to Indian soil in 2036, stating that the country has already submitted a bid. He expressed confidence that Indian athletes from events like the National Games will go on to win medals on the global stage.
National Games in Uttarakhand and Meghalaya
The 38th National Games saw participation from 16,000 athletes in 435 events. Shah praised smaller states like Uttarakhand and Meghalaya for successfully hosting large-scale sporting events, showcasing their dedication to developing sports culture. He announced that the next National Games will be held in Meghalaya, with some events extending to other northeastern states.
Tribute to Pulwama Martyrs
On the fifth anniversary of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, Amit Shah paid tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives. He recalled India’s retaliatory airstrike under PM Modi’s leadership, sending a strong message that India will not tolerate terrorism.
The event was attended by Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, among other dignitaries.
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