Amid the grandeur of the 38th National Games mascot ceremony, traditional sports like yoga and mallakhamb have been included in the National Games. This decision was approved by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) following the request of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the grand mascot launch event held on Sunday, IOA President Dr. PT Usha shared this significant announcement. The event also witnessed the launch of the mascot "Mauli," logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline for the 38th National Games. The tagline for the Games has been declared as "Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak".
At the event held at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Raipur, Dehradun, the Chief Minister expressed that the day marks a historic moment in Uttarakhand’s sports history. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of all Uttarakhand residents for granting the state the opportunity to host the National Games.
The Chief Minister stated that the Games' logo beautifully showcases Uttarakhand’s diverse cultural hues. The anthem not only symbolizes unity but also inspires athletes to strive harder. The mascot, inspired by the state bird Monal, reflects the uniqueness of Uttarakhand and motivates young athletes to set ambitious goals. The logo, also inspired by the Monal, will represent the natural beauty and diversity of Uttarakhand across the country. The National Games' torch, which was ceremoniously lit, symbolizes unity and collective effort. It will travel across the state, fostering a sports culture and spirit of sportsmanship.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of unwavering resolve in achieving any goal. He assured that Uttarakhand is now fully prepared to host the 38th National Games successfully. The state government has allocated approximately Rs 500 crore for infrastructural development, which includes constructing new sports grounds, renovating stadiums and swimming pools, and developing infrastructure for water sports, cycling tracks, and shooting ranges.
The Chief Minister added that the government is also building small sports stadiums in hilly areas to provide local athletes with opportunities to showcase their talent. He highlighted the efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to establish India as a global sports powerhouse through initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India. The state government is continuously working to promote sports and athletes by implementing a new sports policy, offering government jobs to athletes winning medals at national and international levels, and doubling the prize money for athletes.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that athletes participating in the National Games will leave Uttarakhand with a positive experience.
Union Minister of State for Sports, Raksha Khadse, lauded the country’s athletes for their stellar performances in international competitions and commended Uttarakhand’s athletes for bringing pride to the state and the nation. She assured the central government’s full support in Uttarakhand’s sports development efforts and shared aspirations for hosting the Olympics in India. A video message from Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was also played during the event.
IOA President Dr. PT Usha extended her best wishes to Uttarakhand for hosting the National Games and praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership, expressing confidence that Uttarakhand would achieve remarkable progress in sports development.
