Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2026 in Dehradun yesterday. The competition will continue till Thursday. A total of 272 players from 14 Asian countries are participating in the event, including 130 Indian players.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dhami said it is a matter of pride for Uttarakhand to host a prestigious international event like the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy. He said the event will further strengthen Uttarakhand’s identity as an international destination for winter and ice sports.
The Chief Minister said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a significant change in the country’s sporting culture. Initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement have strengthened the sports culture across the country. He said Indian athletes are now performing impressively at the Olympics, Asian Games, and other international competitions, bringing glory to the nation.
Mr. Dhami said the state government is making continuous efforts to establish Uttarakhand as a leading sporting state. He said the successful hosting of the 38th National Games last year helped create a strong foundation of modern and world-class sports infrastructure in the state. As a result, Uttarakhand is now capable of hosting international-level sporting events.
He said work is progressing rapidly towards implementing the Sports Legacy Plan in the state. Under the plan, 23 sports academies will be established in eight major cities, providing high-level training facilities to athletes. Work is also progressing rapidly on establishing the state’s first sports university in Haldwani, while the Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat has already started functioning.
The Chief Minister said the government is promoting water sports, adventure sports, winter sports, and ice sports along with traditional sports. He said the government’s aim is to develop Uttarakhand as a preferred sports training destination not only for athletes from across the country but also for players from around the world.
