Make sports an integral part of your life: CM Nayab Singh Saini

KURUKSHETRA: Haryana chief minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday called upon the youth to make sports an integral part of their lives, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and dedication as the true path to success.

Paying rich tributes to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, celebrated nationwide as National Sports Day, he urged Haryana’s athletes to set their sights on winning the maximum number of medals in the 2036 Olympics.The CM was addressing participants at a “Cyclathon” held in Kurukshetra to mark the occasion. The event was organized by the Haryana Sports Department, linking the themes of cycling and cleanliness to inspire youth towards health and fitness.

Before the cyclathon, Sh. Saini also joined shramdaan (voluntary labour) as part of the campaign “Swachh Kurukshetra – Mera Kurukshetra, Mera Abhiman.” He later launched a dedicated website under this initiative, enabling residents to upload cleanliness-related photos and download participation certificates.Calling sports the best shield against drugs and unhealthy lifestyles, the CM appealed to young people to stay away from addiction.

“Drug abuse weakens not just the individual but also the family and society. Sports, on the other hand, build health, confidence, and character,” he said.Remembering Major Dhyan Chand, Saini said the hockey icon remains a source of inspiration for generations. “Under his leadership, India created golden history in hockey, winning three Olympic gold medals. His dedication earned hockey the title of our National Game,” he said.Highlighting this year’s National Sports Day theme “One Hour on the Playground”, the CM said it symbolises the need for regular sports activity. “We must devote at least an hour every day to physical fitness if we want to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Fit India, Hit India,” he added.The CM noted that India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics, with a target of becoming a global sports superpower. He expressed confidence that Haryana would play a leading role.

“Our dream is that every village and city of Haryana produces at least one player who can make the nation proud on the world stage,” he said.Showcasing Haryana’s achievements, CM Saini reminded that in the Paris Olympics 2024, five of India’s six medals came from Haryana athletes. Similarly, Haryana contributed four of India’s seven medals in Tokyo 2020. In the 2022 Asian Games, 82 athletes from the state won 28 medals out of India’s total 111, while in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Haryana bagged 20 medals.

“This performance proves why Haryana is rightly called the Nursery of Sports,” he remarked.The CM also outlined government initiatives to nurture talent. At present, 1,489 sports nurseries are training over 37,000 players across the state. Young athletes aged 8–14 receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500, while those aged 15–19 receive Rs 2,000. Employment security is being ensured through the Haryana Outstanding Player Service Rules 2021, under which 224 sportspersons have already been given government jobs, with reservations available from Class-I to Class-IV posts.Haryana also leads the nation in sports awards, distributing Rs 593 crore as prize money and providing scholarships worth Rs 53.45 crore to over 29,000 students since 2014. More than 15,600 players have also received equipment under the Sports Equipment Provision Scheme.Urging every youth to actively participate in at least one sport, CM Saini said the state government remains committed to strengthening sports infrastructure and supporting athletes at every stage.On this occasion, sports department director general Sanjeev Verma welcomed the CM and shared details of the department’s initiatives and achievements.