New Delhi [India], October 19 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that the state government's vision is to make Haryana not only the sports capital of India but also a global leader in sports. He highlighted that over the past decade, Haryana has developed a comprehensive sports vision aimed at connecting every child with sports, creating playgrounds in every village, and providing opportunities to every youth passionate about sports.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural function of the second phase of the state-level Khel Mahakumbh at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium in Panchkula. On this occasion, he encouraged the players to compete with a true sporting spirit and give their best performance. Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam was also present.
The Chief Minister said the Khel Mahakumbh is not just a sporting event but a platform that nurtures the dreams of Haryana's youth, reflecting the state's spirit of excellence in sports. He noted that the event was launched in 2017, Haryana's Golden Jubilee year, and since then, five editions have been successfully organized. In the first phase of this year's event, held from August 2 to 4, a total of 15,410 athletes participated across 26 sports. The second phase, which began today, has 9,959 athletes competing.
CM Saini added that every athlete aspires to represent the country, but achieving that dream requires consistent practice, discipline, and self-confidence. To support this, the government continues to organize sports competitions that help athletes hone their skills.
He also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of establishing India as a sports superpower by the 2036 Olympic Games and has expressed the desire to host the Games in India. 'I am confident that Haryana's athletes will bring glory to the nation by winning the most medals at that time. Preparations for this have already begun. Our dream is that every village in Haryana will produce an athlete who will make the country proud on the world stage,' he said.
Saini highlighted government efforts to promote sports talent, noting that sports nurseries have been established to nurture athletes from childhood, providing financial assistance and professional training. Currently, 1,489 sports nurseries are operational, with 37,225 athletes receiving training. Players aged 8 to 14 receive a monthly stipend of INR 1,500, while those aged 15 to 19 receive INR 2,000. Nursery instructors receive up to INR 25,000, and 550 new posts were created under the Haryana Outstanding Players Service Rules, 2021, to ensure secure employment for exceptional athletes.
The Chief Minister honoured eight Haryana athletes who won medals at last year's Paris Paralympics with incentives totaling INR 42 crore. The athletes won 5 gold and 3 silver medals. Additionally, 31 coaches were recognized for their contributions with a total award of INR 3.56 crore. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to gold medalists from the National Games 2025, in-charges of 75 exceptional sports nurseries, and 75 outstanding coaches.
Earlier, Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam said that the second phase of Khel Mahakumbh 2025 will witness 9,959 athletes competing in 17 sports over three days across various districts. He credited the players’ hard work and the state’s sports initiatives for Haryana athletes' success in national and international competitions and announced that under CM Saini’s leadership, the Haryana Olympic Games will be organized in November after a gap of 15 years. (ANI)