Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the closing ceremony of 38^th ‘National Games’ as Chief Guest in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. On this occasion, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad Sangma, and Union Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways Shri Ajay Tamta, along with several other dignitaries, were present.

In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that with the successful conduct of the 38^th National Games, Dev Bhoomi (Uttarkhand) has now become a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ with the help of sports infrastructure developed in every district of the state. Shri Amit Shah said, due to the efforts of Chief Minister Pushar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi has moved upwards from 21st place to 7th place in terms of country's sports infrastructure. Shri Shah, while congratulating the athletes from Uttarakhand who won a large number of medals in the National Games, stated that it is they who have truly made Dev Bhoomi a land of sports.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation appreciated the organizing committee of 38^th National Games and the sports federations, stating that it was due to their efforts that a small state like Uttarakhand was able to successfully organize these games at such a high level. He mentioned that around 16,000 athletes participated in approximately 435 competitions as part of National Games. Shri Shah said that the true message of sports is the spirit of victory and not being disheartened by defeat. He added that the next National Games is to be held in Meghalaya, where athletes will have another opportunity to win medals.

Shri Amit Shah stated that eco-friendly practices were realised along with the eco-friendly games at the 38th National Games. He mentioned that national records were made in several sports, including weightlifting, shooting, and athletics, which has raised hopes of winning medals at international competitions. He also said that during the next National Games, to be held in Meghalaya, some events will be organized in other northeastern states as well, so that the entire North East resonates with the National Games. He said that the organization of sports competitions in small states like Uttarakhand and Meghalaya shows the dedication of these states towards sports.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister stated that due to the initiatives of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there has been a significant change in the sports environment in the country. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had started the 'Khelo Gujarat' competition as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and since then, there has been substantial development in the sports sector. He mentioned that sports infrastructure has been developed in many districts of the country, athletes and coaches have been encouraged, and transparency has been introduced in the selection process, which has enhanced the reputation of Indian sports globally.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the future of Indian sports is bright. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, through initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India, has inspired every youth to engage in sports. He mentioned the essence of 'sports' is to have the spirit of victory, not to be disheartened by defeat, and to be inspired to win again even after a loss.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken numerous steps to strengthen the spirit of sports, love for sports, and the confidence to play among the youth of the country. He mentioned that athletes refer to PM Modi as a "Khel Mitra”.

Shri Amit Shah stated that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge in 2014, the country's sports budget was ₹800 crore, and by 2025-26, the sports budget has increased to ₹3,800 crore. In 2014 Commonwealth Games, India won 15 medals, which now increased to 26. Similarly, in the Asian Games, India won 57 medals in 2014, and now the number has risen to 107. In the Para Asian Games, India initially won 33 medals, which have now increased to 111.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that the country's athletes have made the nation proud in international competitions too. He mentioned that in the Olympics and Paralympics, our athletes have won several times more medals, which indicates a significant improvement in the country's sports infrastructure, sports atmosphere, and hunger to win.

Shri Amit Shah stated that today, a hilly state like Uttarakhand has successfully organized such a large event, which indicates that every state in India is not only ready to play but also prepared to strengthen its sports infrastructure. He said that by utilizing the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), many of our athletes are preparing for great success in the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Shri Shah mentioned that India is ready to host the Olympics in 2036. We have made our bid to host the Olympic Games, and we are confident that when the Olympics are held in India in 2036, the athletes participating in this sports mega event in Uttarakhand will win medals, thereby bringing glory to the tricolor and the national anthem.

Union Home Minister, while paying tribute to 40 soldiers who were martyred in the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, on this day in 2019, stated that their sacrifice not only ensured the safety of the country but also led to a strong response by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who carried out a cross-border airstrike against the terrorists. He emphasized that because of this, the global perspective on India has changed, and the message has gone out to all terrorists worldwide that no one can play with India's borders and military.

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