Chandigarh, December 13- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ is not merely a sporting competition but a comprehensive health movement that motivates youth to adopt an active and disciplined lifestyle. Strengthening the Khelo India and Fit India initiatives at the grassroots level, the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ has evolved into a people’s movement aimed at building a healthy, self-reliant and disciplined generation. Reflecting Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming sports into a mass movement, the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ has proved to be an effective platform for identifying hidden sporting talent in rural areas and enabling young athletes to reach national and international arenas.
The Chief Minister was addressing the closing ceremony of the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ in Fatehabad. On his arrival, he was accorded a warm welcome by Rajya Sabha MP and programme organiser, Sh. Subhash Barala. Athletes participating in the finals also took part in a ceremonial march-past.
The Chief Minister formally inaugurated the final matches and watched the kabaddi final between teams from Sirsa and Fatehabad. He interacted with the players and encouraged them. A total of 45,000 athletes from nine Assembly segments of the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency had registered for the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, out of which 3,604 athletes qualified for the finals across various disciplines.
Addressing the athletes and the gathering, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ has placed the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency among the country’s top ten parliamentary constituencies in terms of sports participation. He said that talent often remains unrealised due to lack of opportunity, and it was with this understanding that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi directed the organisation of ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’. Such initiatives, he said, not only promote sporting interest but also motivate youth to compete at state, national and international levels.
Vision to make India a global sporting power by Olympics 2036
The Chief Minister recalled that 11 years ago Haryana had developed a clear sports vision, to connect every child with sports, create playgrounds in every village and provide opportunities to every youth passionate about sports. The objective, he said, was to establish Haryana not only as India’s but the world’s sports capital. He added that the Prime Minister has set the goal of making India a global sporting power by the 2036 Olympics and expressed confidence that Haryana’s athletes would win the highest number of medals and bring laurels to the nation.
He emphasised that participation in sports itself is a significant achievement and that effort, discipline and dedication matter more than victory or defeat. These values, he said, shape youth into responsible citizens and successful sportspersons.
The Chief Minister further said that the strong willpower and relentless hard work of Haryana’s youth have ensured that Haryanvi athletes continue to raise the national flag with pride, both at home and abroad.
Haryana is a land of Dhaakad Jawaan, Dhaakad Kisaan aur Dhaakad Pehalwaan
Describing Haryana as the land of brave soldiers, resilient farmers and fearless wrestlers, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the state’s farmers play a crucial role in filling the nation’s food reserves, while its soldiers guard the borders regardless of extreme weather conditions. Similarly, Haryana’s athletes bring glory to the country by winning medals at international competitions.
He said the government regularly organises sports competitions to sharpen qualities such as discipline, practice and mental strength among players. A year-long sports calendar has been prepared under which events such as Khel Mahakumbh, state-level akhara dangals, boxing, volleyball, athletics, badminton, swimming, basketball and handball competitions are held. The government’s endeavour, he added, is that every village in Haryana produces an athlete who unfurls the national flag on the global stage. The ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, he said, is a golden chapter in this ongoing journey.
Haryana hailed as the ‘nursery of sports’
The Chief Minister said Haryana is now widely recognised as the “nursery of sports”. Robust sports infrastructure has been developed across the state to provide athletes with modern facilities. Sports nurseries have been established to groom talent from an early age, offering training and financial assistance. At present, 1,472 sports nurseries are operational in the state, training 37,225 athletes. Players aged 8 to 14 receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 1,500, while those aged 15 to 19 are given Rs. 2,000 per month.
Rs. 683.15 crore cash awards to 16,418 athletes
To ensure secure employment for outstanding sportspersons, the Chief Minister said the Haryana Outstanding Sportspersons Service Rules, 2021 have been framed, under which 550 new posts were created in the Sports Department. So far, 231 athletes have been provided government jobs. He added that medal-winning athletes are awarded cash incentives of up to Rs. 6 crore, and to date, 16,418 players have received Rs. 683.15 crore in cash awards.
He further said that 298 high-performing athletes are being given honorariums, while scholarships are provided to students participating in and winning medals at state, national and international competitions. Since 2014, over 24,000 students have been granted scholarships amounting to more than Rs. 70 crore. Under the Haryana Sports Equipment Provision Scheme, sports equipment has been distributed to 15,634 athletes.
Sansad Khel Mahotsav provides a strong platform for 2036 Olympic preparations- Subhash Barala
Presiding over the grand finale, Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. Subhash Barala welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, launched nationwide under Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s leadership has emerged as a powerful tool for channelising youth energy positively and providing a platform for their talent.
He said India has set a target to host the 2036 Olympic Games, and athletes from Haryana, particularly the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency, are already preparing for this goal. Such events, he noted, offer youth from both rural and urban areas an opportunity to reach national and international levels. Haryana’s athletes have consistently brought glory to the state and the country.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s call, nearly 45,000 youth from the Sirsa constituency registered for the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, reflecting the growing inclination of youth towards sports. He informed that the Mahotsav began on September 21 at Damkora Stadium and continued for 105 days, during which more than 1,500 competitions were organised.
Sh. Subhash Barala also lauded Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for fulfilling his commitment to providing government jobs to youth on merit even before formally assuming office, calling it a clear reflection of the government’s commitment towards youth. He said the state government is offering government employment to players based on gradation certificates.
He further informed that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will deliver a live address on December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for which preparations are underway.
Calling upon all participating athletes, Barala urged them to stay away from drugs and online gaming, play with true sportsmanship and contribute to nation-building.
Cabinet Minister, Sh. Krishan Bedi, former MP, Smt. Sunita Duggal, former MLA, Sh. Dura Ram, Chairman Ved Phulan, Chairman Bharat Bhushan Middha, Chairman, Ravinder Baliala, along with several Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award recipients and other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
