DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana has now become a powerhouse of sports. The state not only produces crops but also champions on the playing field. He said Haryana is no longer known only as the land of farmers and soldiers, but has earned a nationwide identity as a land of sports. From National Games to the Olympics, Haryana's presence is being felt across the country. The government's objective is that no talented sportsperson in the state should lag behind due to lack of resources.

The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering on Monday at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurugram, after inaugurating the Chief Minister's Cup and distributing awards to medal winners of the 38th National Games. He awarded prize money worth about Rs 24 crore to 417 medal winners and participating players of the National Games. He also honoured hockey player Padma Shri Savita Punia. He said the event is a celebration of Haryana's sporting talent, discipline, hard work and determination, and that Gurugram's sacred land was witnessing two sporting celebrations simultaneously. Present on the occasion were Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Pataudi MLA Bimla Chaudhary, Sports Department Additional Chief Secretary Vijay Singh Dahiya and Sports Director Parth Gupta.

Nayab Singh Saini said sports platforms give wings to the dreams of youth, and athletes take a pledge to take the pride of the nation to greater heights. Haryana's players delivered an outstanding performance in the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand. A total of 689 players from the state participated in 33 different sports and won 153 medals, proving that Haryana has become a sports powerhouse. These included 48 gold, 47 silver and 58 bronze medals earned through years of hard work, sacrifice and struggle.

He said players are a source of inspiration for the state. The government is giving incentive awards of Rs 7 lakh to gold medal winners, Rs 5 lakh to silver medal winners and Rs 3 lakh to bronze medal winners of the National Games. Participants are also being given Rs 51,000 each as encouragement. He expressed gratitude to the parents and coaches whose motivation helped these athletes bring glory to the state and the nation.

Encouraging participants of the Chief Minister's Cup, he said 3,600 players are participating in six sports competitions in this three-day event. Cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh for gold, Rs 70,000 for silver and Rs 50,000 for bronze winners will be given. He said the Cup reflects the government's vision of identifying and promoting talent from every village and city. Wrestlers, boxers, athletes, shooters, hockey players and many others from Haryana are bringing pride to the country.

Nayab Singh Saini said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, programmes like Khelo India and Fit India have given a new direction to sports culture in the country. Sports are no longer just competition but a medium of nation-building. Healthy youth form the foundation of a developed India. He advised players to uphold discipline, humility and patriotism, to never be disheartened by defeat and never be arrogant in victory.

The Chief Minister said the government is fully committed to the welfare and promotion of sportspersons. Over the last 11 years, Rs 989 crore has been spent on developing sports infrastructure across the state. The sports budget has been more than doubled ? from ?275 crore in 2014-15 to ?602.18 crore in the current financial year. He added that Olympic, Paralympic and other international medal winners are being given cash awards up to ?6 crore.

He said sports facilities are being expanded continuously. A Sports University has been established at Rai in Sonipat district. At present, the state has three state-level sports complexes, 21 district stadiums, 25 sub-division stadiums, 163 Rajiv Gandhi Rural Sports Complexes, 245 rural stadiums and 382 indoor gyms in villages. In addition, 10 swimming pools, 11 synthetic athletics tracks, 14 hockey astroturfs, two synthetic football surfaces and nine multipurpose halls have been developed. Facilitation centres have also been set up in 16 districts at a cost of Rs 3 crore.

(editor@dailyworld.in)