CM Dhami attended the closing ceremony of the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 at the Himadri Ice Rink, Silver Jubilee Sports Complex, Raipur, Dehradun, organized by the Ice Skating Association of India.
CM Dhami : Over 200 athletes from 11 Asian countries took part in the international event, competing across nine categories. Thailand emerged as the overall champion, while Indian athletes showcased excellent performances, securing four gold medals along with several other medals.
The CM expressed pride that Uttarakhand hosted India’s first international winter sports competition, calling it the beginning of a new era for winter sports in the country. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India Movement, which have helped India achieve new heights in sports globally.
Dhami said the successful hosting of the 38th National Games earlier this year positioned Uttarakhand not only as the “Land of Gods” but also as a “Land of Sports.” In those games, Uttarakhand athletes created history by winning 103 medals and securing the 7th position for the first time.
The CM noted that the state government has invested ₹517 crore in modern stadiums and nearly ₹100 crore in world-class sports equipment, developing Uttarakhand into a hub for national and international sports events. The renovated Himadri Ice Rink, India’s only Olympic-standard ice rink, now provides advanced facilities for both training and international tournaments. After 14 years, hosting this event here is a matter of national pride.
The government is also launching a Sports Legacy Plan, under which 23 sports academies across 8 cities will be set up. Work is underway to establish the first Sports University and a Women’s Sports College in the state. A new sports policy has been implemented, offering out-of-turn government jobs to medal winners at national and international levels. Additionally, various schemes such as CM Sports Development Fund, CM Emerging Players Scheme, and sports kit distribution programs are supporting young athletes. Players are also being honored with awards like the Uttarakhand Khel Ratna and Himalaya Khel Ratna. The 4% sports quota in state services has also been reinstated to provide athletes fair opportunities.
The CM reiterated that the government is determined to establish Uttarakhand as a global sports destination with world-class infrastructure and opportunities for athletes.