Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
With just 16 days left for the much-anticipated 38th National Games, Uttarakhand is in the final stages of preparation to host the event for the first time in its history. Scheduled to commence on January 28, the National Games will witness the participation of 15,613 individuals, including 9,728 male and female athletes from across the country. Alongside the athletes, the delegation will include the DOC, technical staff, and support personnel for each sporting discipline.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun on January 28, while the grand closing ceremony is scheduled for February 14 at the International Sports Complex in Gaulapar of Haldwani in Nainital district. General Secretary of the Uttaranchal Olympic Association, D.P. Singh said, “All preparations for the successful execution of the National Games are in their final stage. This event is a significant milestone for Uttarakhand, and we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure its success.”
Competitions will be held across eight districts, with Dehradun hosting the maximum number of 16 sports events, including Squash, Archery, Shooting (Pistol and Rifle), Basketball (5×5 and 3×3), Gymnastics, Netball, Wushu, Judo, Rugby Sevens, Lawn Bowls, Athletics, Weightlifting, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Golf. Udham Singh Nagar will witness competitions in Cycling (Track and Road), Handball, Volleyball, Shooting (Trap), Skating, and Mallakhamb. Haldwani will host Football, Kho-Kho, Taekwondo, Modern Pentathlon, Swimming, Fencing, and Triathlon events.
Haridwar will organize Hockey, Kabaddi, and Wrestling competitions, while New Tehri will host Kayaking and Canoeing (Sprint) and Rowing events. Rishikesh Tehri is set to feature Extreme Slalom, Canoe Slalom, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, and Beach Kabaddi. Nainital will showcase Cycling MTB and Kalaripayattu, Almora will host Yoga competitions, Pithoragarh will stage Boxing, and Champawat will hold Rafting competitions.
Dehradun will see participation from 4,444 athletes, evenly split between 2,223 male and 2,221 female players, supported by 2,679 staff members. Udham Singh Nagar will host 1,040 athletes with equal gender representation and 603 support staff. Haldwani will have 2,100 athletes, including 1,077 male and 1,023 female participants, accompanied by 1,305 support personnel. Other districts, including Haridwar, Tehri, Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Nainital, will also see significant participation.
“As we prepare to welcome thousands of athletes and officials, the state stands poised to deliver a memorable and well-organized sporting extravaganza”, further said DK Singh.
