Gurugram– Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Monday declared that Haryana has emerged as a powerhouse of sports, complementing its reputation as the land of farmers and soldiers. Speaking at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram after inaugurating the Chief Minister’s Cup and distributing awards to medal winners of the 38th National Games, the CM said that sports talent from the state is now making its presence felt nationally and internationally, from the National Games to the Olympics.
“The objective of our government is that no talented sportsperson in Haryana should be held back due to a lack of resources,” CM Saini stated.
A total of 689 athletes from Haryana participated in 33 sports at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, winning 153 medals – including 48 gold, 47 silver, and 58 bronze. The CM awarded prize money worth ₹24 crore to 417 medal winners and participants and honoured hockey player Padma Savita Punia for her achievements. Gold medalists received ₹7 lakh, silver ₹5 lakh, bronze ₹3 lakh, and all participants were given ₹51,000 as encouragement.
हरियाणा के खिलाड़ियों को प्रोत्साहित करना और उन्हें अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर तक आगे बढ़ने के अवसर प्रदान करना हमारी प्राथमिकता है। इसी क्रम में आज गुरुग्राम में आयोजित भव्य कार्यक्रम के दौरान 38वें राष्ट्रीय खेलों में पदक जीतने वाले खिलाड़ियों को कुल ₹23 करोड़ की नकद पुरस्कार राशि… pic.twitter.com/fVirt96k9z
— Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) February 9, 2026
CM Nayab Saini also highlighted the Chief Minister’s Cup, a three-day sporting event featuring 3,600 participants across six disciplines, with cash prizes of ₹1 lakh for gold, ₹70,000 for silver, and ₹50,000 for bronze. He emphasized that the event reflects the government’s commitment to identifying and promoting talent from every village and city.
“Sports give wings to the dreams of our youth, instilling discipline, determination, and patriotism. Haryana athletes are setting examples for the entire country through their hard work and achievements,” the CM said.
Sports as a medium for youth empowerment: CM Nayab Saini praises Khelo India and Fit India initiatives
Nayab Saini praised national initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India, noting that sports have become a medium for nation-building and youth empowerment.
Highlighting the government’s support for sports, he said that over the last 11 years, ₹989 crore has been invested in sports infrastructure, and the sports budget has more than doubled from ₹275 crore in 2014-15 to ₹602.18 crore this year. Cash awards of up to ₹6 crore are being given to Olympic, Paralympic, and international medal winners.
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The Chief Minister Nayab Saini also outlined ongoing expansion of sports facilities across the state, including the establishment of a Sports University at Rai in Sonipat, three state-level sports complexes, 21 district stadiums, 25 sub-division stadiums, 163 Rajiv Gandhi Rural Sports Complexes, 245 rural stadiums, and 382 indoor gyms. Additional facilities include 10 swimming pools, 11 synthetic athletics tracks, 14 hockey astroturfs, 2 synthetic football grounds, 9 multipurpose halls, and 16 district-level facilitation centres built at a cost of ₹3 crore.
CM Nayab Saini concluded by urging athletes to remain humble in victory, resilient in defeat, and to continue bringing pride to Haryana and India through their sporting achievements.