Pushkar Singh Dhami launches legacy plan for the Sports University across 8 cities in Uttarakhand

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced Uttarakhand’s shift from “Devbhoomi” to “Khelbhoomi,” highlighting the state’s post-National Games momentum when it earned 103 medals and placed seventh nationwide. On February 18, 2026, Dhami presented the Chief Minister Championship Trophy to Dehradun district winners and unveiled an ambitious expansion of sports infrastructure, paired with statewide talent hunts from villages to the hills.

Dhami underscored Uttarakhand’s revamped sports policy, including doubling Olympic incentives to ₹1-2 crore, monthly scholarships through the Chief Minister Player Incentive Scheme, and gear support under the Emerging Player Advancement Scheme.

The plan accelerates post-National Games infrastructure, leading to the introduction of 23 academies in eight cities, which will nurture multiple disciplines, with Haldwani hosting a sports university that combines science-backed coaching and elite facilities.

Revised coach honoraria, block-level multipurpose halls, and high-altitude centers in Almora’s Deenapani aim to develop endurance athletes. Ice rinks at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun, will support year-round training, while policy perks, such as job opportunities for medalists, will align with global ambitions, positioning Uttarakhand ahead of many states with world-class venues.

Dhami distributed ₹11 crore in prize money via Direct Benefit Transfer to the Chief Minister Championship winners, with Dehradun leading the medals tally. Under the expanded schemes, athletes will gain government jobs, cash rewards, and kits; para-athletes will receive equal incentives.

New honors for coaches and rising stars reflect holistic growth, from village prodigies to podium finishers, where it embodies Dhami’s athlete-centric approach that doubled national incentives and revived ice skating venues to nurture Himalayan talent.