5th State Olympic Games start; athletes converge at Rudrapur

RUDRAPUR: The 5th State Olympic Games commenced with a vibrant cultural programme at Manoj Sarkar Sports Stadium in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar district, on Friday. The opening ceremony featured performances by students and cultural troupes from the state information department. Athletes from across the state are participating in the games scheduled to run till Sept 27.
Lok Sabha MP and former Union MoS Ajay Bhatt was the chief guest at the inaugural function."I congratulate the district administration and the Uttarakhand Olympic Association (UOA) for organising this significant event. Under Khelo India scheme, we are committed to enhancing sports infrastructure. I extend my gratitude to the Prime Minister and the central govt for their support."
"Pushkar Singh Dhami govt is focused on nurturing budding talent by organising competitions at various levels, from Nyaya Panchayat to the state level. Sports help instil discipline, and while winning is important, participation matters most," Bhatt said.
Presiding over the event, Rudrapur MLA Shiv Arora congratulated the athletes and lauded the organisers. He said, "These state-level games are a stepping stone for our players as Uttarakhand prepares to host the upcoming national games."
President in-charge of UOA, Mahesh Negi, thanked the district administration for its support and assured that all necessary arrangements for players, coaches and referees had been made for the event.