Uttarakhand: CM Dhami inaugurates 22nd State Junior and Senior Badminton Championship

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 25 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami here on Thursday formally inaugurated the 22nd Uttarakhand State Junior and Senior Badminton Championship. The Chief Minister also met the players and encouraged them.
The tournament being held at Parade Ground, Dehradun, began on July 24 and will last until July 28.
Welcoming all the players, the Chief Minister said that coming among the players always fills him with enthusiasm and energy. He said that Uttarakhand is making its special identity at the national and international level in the field of badminton.
"Many players, including Lakshya Sen, are making history in badminton and bringing glory to the country and the state. At present, better opportunities and resources are available for sports. The youth should keep trying continuously with their efforts, which will definitely give them success in the future. Dedication and discipline towards sports will provide new heights in life," Dhami said.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many historic decisions have been taken in the field of sports in the country.
The Chief Minister said that with the launch of programmes like Khelo India under the leadership of the Prime Minister, sports have been promoted on a large scale. For India's good performance in the Olympics, players are being given international-level training and facilities. India's steps are constantly increasing in every international-level game, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the largest ever contingent from India is going to participate in the Paris Olympics beginning from Friday. The state government is also working at every level to promote sports and players in the state.
Notably, 117 athletes from India will take part in the Paris Olympics 2024. India's Olympics campaign begins today with the individual ranking round in archery.
Training camps are being organised across the state, sports material is being distributed, and free education, medical and food facilities are being provided to the players under the Residential Sports Hostel Scheme.
Incentives of Rs 2 crore, 1.5 crore and 1 crore respectively, are being given for winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympics. Incentives of Rs 6 lakh, 4 lakh and 3 lakh respectively, are being given to gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the National Games, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said that a new sports policy has been implemented to promote sports and encourage players in the state. 31 players who won medals this year have been given appointments in government departments.
"Under the Mukhyamantri Udiyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana, 3,900 players between 8 and 14 years of age are being given a scholarship of Rs 1500 per month. The daily allowance for players staying in sports hostels has been increased from Rs 175 to Rs 225.
"A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made for open gyms at the rural level. Uttarakhand has the opportunity to organise the upcoming National Games. This is a big opportunity for us," the Chief Minister said.