PrashantNews
The 38th National Games, held across various venues in Uttarakhand, concluded on Friday with a spectacular closing ceremony in Haldwani town in Nainital district.
Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) comprising Army, Air Force and Navy, topped the medal tally with 121 medals including 68 golds.
Maharashtra became the only state which crossed 200-medal mark in the fortnight long event that saw exceptional display of athleticism, dedication, and sportsmanship. Maharashtra with 201 medals including 54 golds stood second in the tournament.
Haryana emerged third securing 153 medals with 48 golds.
Hosts Uttarakhand stole the show standing 7th in the tournament by winning 103 medals including 24 golds, 35 silvers and 44 bronzes.
The event concluded on a triumphant note, and as the focus shifted to the future, Meghalaya was given the honor of hosting the 39th National Games in 2026, ushering in an exciting new chapter for this prestigious competition.
In his address, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said with the successful conduct of the National Games, Uttarkhand has now become a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ with the help of sports infrastructure developed in every district of the hill state. Shah said, due to the efforts of Chief Minister Pushar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi has moved upwards from 21st place to 7th place in terms of country’s sports infrastructure.
Shah, while congratulating the athletes from Uttarakhand who won a large number of medals in the National Games, stated that it is they who have truly made Dev Bhoomi a land of sports.
He appreciated the organizing committee of National Games and the sports federations, stating that it was due to their efforts that a small state like Uttarakhand was able to successfully organize these games at such a high level. He mentioned that around 16,000 athletes participated in approximately 435 competitions as part of National Games.
Shah said that the true message of sports is the spirit of victory and not being disheartened by defeat. He added that the next National Games is to be held in Meghalaya, where athletes will have another opportunity to win medals.