Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on January 28, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. This marks a historic moment as Uttarakhand hosts the National Games for the first time.
In his address, PM Modi underscored the vital role of sports in national development and praised initiatives like Khelo India for empowering young athletes. He also announced India’s ambitious goal of hosting the 2036 Olympics, reinforcing the country’s commitment to strengthening its sporting culture.
This edition of the National Games embraces a ‘Green Games’ theme, promoting sustainability. Medals and trophies have been crafted from e-waste, and a tree will be planted for each medal winner, showcasing an eco-friendly approach to the event.
The Games will feature 32 sporting disciplines along with four demonstration events, bringing together over 10,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from across India. Competitions will be held in multiple cities, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, and Rudrapur.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inaugurating the event, calling it a golden opportunity to put Uttarakhand on the national sports map and promote athletics in the state.
Scheduled to run from January 28 to February 14, 2025, the 38th National Games promise to be a grand celebration of India’s sporting talent and its vision for a thriving sports ecosystem.
