Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 5 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 'Asian Sub Junior-Junior Men and Women Cup and Asian University Cup Power Lifting Competition 2025' organised by Uttarakhand Power Lifting Association in Dehradun and said that with the aim of establishing Uttarakhand as a sports land, the state government is going to implement a 'Sports Legacy Plan' in the state soon.

CM Dhami on Monday said that under which 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities of the state.

'Every year, 920 world-class athletes and 1000 other players will receive high-level training in these academies. Our government is also working rapidly towards setting up Uttarakhand's first sports university in Haldwani and a women's sports college in Lohaghat. With the aim of overall development of sports in the state and to encourage the players, our government has implemented a new sports policy. Under this policy, 'out of turn' government jobs are being provided to medal-winning players at the national and international level,' CM Dhami said.

CM Dhami inaugurated Uttarakhand Power Inaugurated the 'Asian Sub Junior-Junior Men and Women Cup and Asian University Cup Power Lifting Competition 2025' organised by the 'Asia Lifting Association'.

More than 300 talented players from 16 countries of the Asian continent including India are participating in this powerlifting championship being organized from May 5 to May 12.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami said that our government is working to encourage the emerging young players of the state through programs like 'Chief Minister Sports Development Fund', 'Chief Minister Khiladi Protsahan Yojana', 'Chief Minister Udiyaman Khiladi Yojana' and 'Khel Kit Yojana'.

'We are also honoring the merit of the players by awarding 'Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award' and 'Himalay Khel Ratna Award'. Along with this, we have re-implemented the 4 percent sports quota for players in the state services of the state, so that the hard work and excellence of our players get proper opportunity and respect,' he added.

CM Dhami said that physical strength and skill have a special place in ancient Indian history.

'In ancient times, where our ancestors used to demonstrate their strength and hard work with traditional tools like mugdar, mace and plow, today they have been replaced by modern sports like weight lifting and powerlifting,' he said.

The Chief Minister said that the methods of lifting weights in modern powerlifting are inspired by these traditional Indian games.

'Competitions like power lifting not only promote confidence and discipline among the youth, but also play an important role in making them physically and mentally strong,' he said.

The Chief Minister said that since the beginning of his tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working to promote sports culture in the country through programs like 'Khelo India' and 'Fit India Movement'. Today, under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, India is touching new heights in the field of sports and is making its unique identity on the global stage. Under his guidance, our government is also making continuous efforts to promote sports culture in the state and encourage the players.

CM Dhami said that the grand and successful organization of the 38th National Games held in our state this year has paved the way to establish Uttarakhand as 'Devbhoomi' as well as 'Khelbhoomi'.

'In this year's National Games, the players of Uttarakhand have done an important job of increasing the pride of the state by creating history by winning more than 100 medals. We have developed world-class sports infrastructure in Uttarakhand by building a state-of-the-art stadium at a cost of Rs 517 crore as well as bringing international level sports equipment at a cost of about Rs 100 crore, as a result of which today Uttarakhand is becoming an important place for organizing not only national but also international sports competitions. An example of which is also this 'Power Lifting Competition', CM Dhami.

CM Dhami said that today this world-class stadium and sports facilities have become a strong base for the training of the players of the state.

He further said that 'sportsmanship' is more important than winning or losing in sports, because it teaches us discipline, patience, tolerance and mutual respect, which are not limited only to the sports complex, but become our guide in every aspect of life. (ANI)