New Delhi: The closing ceremony of the 38th National Games in Haldwani witnessed the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah as its guest of honour, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The esteemed guests joined the event to laud the performances of the athletes who stole the limelight across eight venues over 15 days. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami started the celebration by presenting a commemorative memento, a shawl and a bouquet to welcome Shah.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami felicitates Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games in Haldwani pic.twitter.com/ksVWowMAlW
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2025
Shah, Mandavia and Dhami were joined by several other dignitaries, including next host Meghalaya’s CM Kongkal Sangma, Uttarakhand’s Sports Minister Rekha Arya, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, boxing legend MC Mary Kom, and Olympic medallist shooter Gagan Narang.
‘Devbhoomi’ turned into ‘Khelbhoomi’
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Amit Shah hailed the efforts of Dhami and said:”‘Devbhoom’ has not become ‘Khelbhoomi’ only by hosting the National Games, but (Pushkar Singh) Dhami ji has developed the infrastructure for sports in every district of the state. Besides, the sportsmen who have won so many medals for Uttarakhand have turned ‘Devbhoomi’ into ‘Khelbhoomi’.”
VIDEO | Speaking at closing ceremony of 38th National Games in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah) says, “‘Devbhoomi’ has not become ‘Khelbhoomi’ only by hosting the National Games, but Dhami ji has developed the infrastructure for sports in every… pic.twitter.com/tpbYyqtO2P
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 14, 2025
India ready to host 2036 Olympics
Shah also asserted that the country is well on track to host a successful Olympics in 2036.
“I can say it today that India has a very bright future in sports. We are ready to host the Olympics in 2036,” Shah said referring to India’s bid to host the Olympics in 2036 which is still in initial stages.
Later, Shah and Dhami awarded the prizes to the top three performers – Services and Sports Control Board, Maharashtra and Haryana.
#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami give away prizes to the top three performers – Services and Sports Control Board, Maharashtra and Haryana- in 38th National Games, during the closing ceremony in Haldwani, Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/41IJDd5ntS
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2025
Meanwhile, Mandaviya also hailed the efforts of the Uttarakhand government for organising a seamless event.
“Uttarakhand has conveyed to the country that it is not just Devbhoomi but also a Khelbhoomi. The state ensured that no athlete faced any difficulty during the Games. It is the beginning of India becoming a sports hub,” said Mandaviya in his address to the gathering at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex in Haldwani.
Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex hosted a capacity crowd of 25,000 and was packed for the ceremony.
“It is the beginning of India coming inside the top 10 Olympic performers by 2036. The country now has a sports ecosystem. It is moving forward in every aspect, including sports,” Mandaviya said.
Meanwhile, PT Usha said: “The journey does not end here, it is only the beginning for Indian sports”.
Services rules the roost again
The ceremony highlights the winning moments from the beginning to the end of the sporting spectacle that began at seven venues on January 28. The state capital Dehradun was the main centre.
Traditional powerhouse Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) finished as the toppers on the medal tally for the fifth time in the last six games, with an incredible medal haul of 121 medals (68 gold, 26 silver, 27 bronze).
Maharashtra, despite winning more medals than Services with 198 (54 gold, 71 silver, 73 bronze), finished second due to their lesser gold count.
Even Haryana bagged more medals than Services with 153 (48 gold, 47 silver, 58 bronze) but finished in third place. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand finished at seventh spot with a total of 103 medals, including 24 gold, 35 silver and 44 bronze.
The National Games 2025 closing ceremony, attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and several other dignitaries, highlights the winning moments from the beginning to the end of the sporting spectacle that began at seven venues on January 28. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
