Dehradun. The Khel Mahakumbh-2026 organized in Uttarakhand concluded on Sunday at the Mini Stadium in Nanoorkheda, Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the trophy and prize money of Rs five lakh to the winning district Dehradun in the closing ceremony of the Chief Minister Championship Trophy. During this, he also released the portal 'Mero Yuva' (meroyuva.in).
An attractive display of Malkhamb and Artistic Yoga was performed in the function. The Chief Minister said that the aim of the state government is that no talented player should be left behind due to lack of opportunities and resources. For this, cash prizes are being given to the winning players from Nyaya Panchayat to the state level. He said that this year the prize money of about Rs 11 crore 30 lakh is being sent to the bank accounts of the players through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Medal winners will get 4% reservation in government jobs
Chief Minister Dhami said that the state government has decided to provide the benefit of four percent horizontal reservation in direct recruitment posts under the prescribed rules to the eligible players who have won medals in the state level competitions of the Chief Minister Championship Trophy.
He said that the journey of Khel Mahakumbh, which started from Tanakpur in Champawat on September 1, reached the state level through Nyaya Panchayat, Assembly and Parliamentary constituency levels. Players from different areas of the state showed enthusiasm and sportsmanship in the competitions.
Player participation increased since last year
The Chief Minister said that the objective of the Khel Mahakumbh, started in the year 2017, was to recognize the sports talents of rural and remote areas and to provide them opportunities to move forward. Last year, about two lakh 20 thousand players had participated in it, whereas this time this number has increased to more than three lakh 35 thousand.
He said that the increasing participation of players shows that Sports Mahakumbh is taking the form of a mass movement towards sports in the state. This year, 32 competitions were organized under the Chief Minister Championship Trophy in 662 Nyaya Panchayats of the state, all 70 assembly constituencies, parliamentary constituencies and at the state level. MPs, MLAs and local public representatives also participated in these.
Players should make their name famous at national and international level.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigns like Khelo India and Fit India have increased awareness about sports in the country. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the players of the state made the state proud by performing brilliantly in the 38th National Games organized in Uttarakhand.
Encouraging the players, he said that victory and defeat are part of the game. The players who did not win medals this time should not be disappointed, but should prepare for the next competitions with more hard work. He assured that the state government is committed to providing better facilities and all possible support to the players.
Work on girls sports colleges and sports academies also
Sports Minister Rekha Arya said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, continuous efforts are being made to encourage sports and players in the state. Through the Chief Minister Udyam Khiladi Unnayan Yojana and the Chief Minister Player Promotion Scheme, selected players are being given financial assistance for scholarship and sports equipment.
He informed that operation of Girls Sports College has been started in Lohaghat. Along with this, work is also being done towards establishing State Sports University and modern sports academies. Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Vice Chairman of State Youth Welfare Advisory Council Vinod Suyal and Kundan Singh Latwal, Special Principal Secretary Amit Kumar Sinha and Director of Youth Welfare and Provincial Guard Deepti Singh and others were present in the ceremony.
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