Uttarakhand

• 09 Nov 2022

Uttarakhand to Host National Winter Games

Why in News?

• On November 8, 2022, Uttarakhand Sports Minister Rekha Arya, while laying the foundation stone of a multi-purpose sports building near the Sports Stadium in Rudrapur of the state, said that once again Uttarakhand has got the hosting of the National Winter Games, which will be held from February 2 to 5 at Auli in Chamoli, the state.

Key Points

• Sports Minister Rekha Arya said that apart from organizing the National Winter Games in the state, the 'Himalayan Trophy' will also be organized by the International Ski Federation here.
• Teams from various states, including Uttarakhand, will participate in the National Winter Games. The National Skiing Championships 2023 will have a total of four events, in which players from both men's and women's categories will participate. Apart from this, FIS approved giant slalom race for men and women will also be held on February 7-8 under the Himalayan Trophy 2023.
• Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the tourism department has made all the preparations for organizing these games and has also prepared a master plan for Auli, which has been sent for cabinet approval. Apart from this, construction of three and a half km racing slope is also proposed here. With this, Auli will be established as a great skiing destination for skiing professionals.
• Auli also has mountaineering and skiing institutes run by GMVN, where experts groom talent in skiing.
• The Sports Minister said that about 70 percent of the construction work for the National Games to be held in Uttarakhand in the year 2024 has been completed. The remaining construction works will also be completed in six months.
• He informed that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had implemented 'Mukhymantri Udeeyman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana' on National Sports Day, under which about five thousand players are currently benefiting in the entire state. Apart from this, the government has also worked to provide equal amount of money and facilities to the disabled players.