38th National Games concludes
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
HALDWANI, Feb 14: The closing ceremony brought the curtains down on the 38th National Games here today with Home Minister Amit Shah as its chief guest asserting that the country is well on track to host a successful Olympics in 2036.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha declared the Games closed before handing over the flag to Conrad Sangma, chief minister of Meghalaya, the state that will host the next edition of the Games in 2027.
“I can say it today that India has a very bright future in sports. We have staked a claim to host the Olympics in 2036 and we are ready for it. When the Olympics are held here, our athletes will win medals and make the country’s flag fly high,” Shah said in his address.
Shah lauded the extraordinary effort put forth by the state of Uttarakhand to host the Games, particularly highlighting the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami. He pointed out that under Dhami’s leadership; Uttarakhand had risen from 25th place to 7th place on the national sports map.
Shah praised the state’s sports infrastructure, which was developed across all districts, making Uttarakhand a prime example of sports development in India.
“‘Dev Bhoomi’ has now also become a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ not just because of the National Games but also because of its athletes’ performance in the Games and Dhami ji’s relentless efforts towards hosting a successful Games,” Shah said.
Shah also lauded the eco-friendly initiatives taken by the state during the Games. Additionally, medals were crafted from e-waste, and sports kits were made from recycled materials, making the Games not only a sporting event but also an environmentally responsible one.
Shah also noted that the budget for sports had increased significantly under Modi’s leadership, from Rs 800 crores in 2014 to Rs 3,800 crores for 2025-26, providing better facilities and opportunities for athletes to excel.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, expressed pride in the success of the 38th National Games. He revealed that the state had won 103 medals, including 24 gold and was able to provide a platform for emerging champions. Dhami emphasized that Uttarakhand’s hosting of the Games was a significant milestone in the state’s sports journey, celebrating not only the athletes but also the contributions of the coaches, support staff, and volunteers.
The ceremony concluded with an expression of gratitude from CM Dhami to PM Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for entrusting Uttarakhand with the responsibility of hosting the Games.
The event was attended by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, MP Ajay Bhatt, Uttarakhand’s Sports Minister Rekha Arya, boxing legend MC Mary Kom and Olympic medalist shooter Gagan Narang, among others.
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