Preparations underway on grand scale for National Games: Dhami

Dehradun, 9 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed a press conference at the Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium here today following a meeting held to review the preparations for the National Games to be held in Uttarakhand from 28 January onwards.

Dhami stated that all the preparations are being done earnestly for the games. He also  expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Manuskh Mandaviya as well as to President of Indian Olympic Association PT Usha for placing their trust in Uttarakhand towards hosting of the national games and for extending all possible cooperation to host the games successfully.

Dhami shared that he had today held a detailed review of the preparations for the National Games and the preparations are progressing satisfactorily. The progress in respect of the setting up of the infrastructure for the games is also satisfactory. Dhami said that hosting the national games is a huge opportunity for the state and by hosting the games, the local talent will also get opportunity to perform in the games and also hone their skills.

Dhami asserted that the government, the related departments and agencies are making all out efforts to make this a grand event and a huge success. He also praised the efforts of Sports Minister Rekha Arya and her entire team for ensuring timely preparations for the games. The CM added that around 10,000 players are expected to come to the state to participate in the games and it would be the endeavour of his government and the related departments to ensure that the players and the teams coming here to participate take back with them pleasant experiences and good memories about Uttarakhand.

The CM added that officials from Goa and Gujarat where the past games were held have also visited Uttarakhand to oversee the preparations and share their experiences to make the event better. In addition, the officials from the Olympic Association also have been offering their cooperation to make this event successful. He also reminded that Uttarakhand has in recent past, successfully hosted grand events like G-20 and the Global Investors Summit and that he is confident that the National Games would also be successfully organised. He also thanked the media persons for their role in successful hosting of the events like G-20 and the Global Investors Summit.

Dhami also asserted that the infrastructure requirements to conduct the national games have been met and whatever little remains to be done would also be completed soon. He said that 50 days remain for the games to begin and this would be enough to complete all preparations and arrangements.

Pushkar Singh Dhami also shared that the national games would be organised in form of green games in the state. Efforts to save power consumption and minimising the use of plastic and paperless working as far as possible would be made.