CM Dhami Orders Fast-Track Sports Jobs, University Launch in Uttarakhand
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 2 July 2026 directed officials to expedite out-of-turn government jobs for national medal-winning athletes, launch the Golapar Sports University next month, align state policy with National Sports Policy 2025, and accelerate preparations for the 39th National Games 2027.
Key Takeaways
29 medal-winning athletes have already been absorbed into government service under the out-of-turn employment scheme; CM Dhami directed the remaining process be completed within a fixed deadline.
The Uttarakhand State Sports University at Golapar, Haldwani — the state's first and India's tenth — is to begin its academic session next month, with 39 infrastructure components under development.
A new state sports policy is to be framed in line with the Central Government's National Sports Policy 2025 .
Under 'One Block One Mini Stadium' , 48 mini stadiums are complete and 10 more are under construction across Uttarakhand.
India's first women's residential sports college at Lohaghat has 16 posts created and admissions in progress.
Special training camps and athlete selection processes are to begin immediately to prepare for the 39th National Games 2027 .
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a review meeting of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department at the Secretariat on 2 July 2026, directing officials to complete the out-of-turn government job absorption process for national-level medal-winning athletes within a fixed timeline and to launch the Uttarakhand State Sports University at Golapar, Haldwani from next month.
Context
The Chief Minister instructed that the process of accommodating aaut of tarn (out-of-turn) government job recipients should prioritise postings within the sports department itself. He stated: 'Devbhoomi ko Khelbhoomi ke roop mein bhi sthapit karna hai' — 'We are resolved to establish Devbhoomi as a land of sports as well.' Officials informed the meeting that 29 medal-holding athletes have so far been absorbed into government service.
The meeting also heard that the admission process and appointments of coaches, staff, and officers at the Golapar Stadium must be accelerated. The sports university at Golapar is Uttarakhand's first and India's tenth state sports university, with 39 infrastructure components under development, including an 8-lane athletics track, shooting range, hockey field, football ground, badminton hall, seminar hall, cafeteria, research centre, and central library.
Policy Backdrop
CM Dhami directed that a new state sports policy be framed in alignment with the Central Government's National Sports Policy 2025. This follows Uttarakhand's experience hosting the 38th National Games, which resulted in significant new sports infrastructure across the state. The Chief Minister specifically instructed that a maintenance plan be prepared for all infrastructure developed during those Games.
Under the 'One Block One Mini Stadium' scheme, 48 mini stadiums have been completed so far, with construction of 10 more currently under way and land transfer proceedings active for additional sites. The CM directed that construction pace be increased across remaining blocks.
Under the 'One District One Sport' (ODOS) initiative, the CM directed that coaching, talent identification, and competition structures be developed for designated sports in every district. Each district sports hostel is to be developed as an ODOS sports nursery for the sport assigned to that district.
Stakeholders and Impact
Medal-winning athletes stand to benefit directly from faster out-of-turn government job processing, with the additional directive that most such appointees be placed within the sports department — ensuring institutional continuity between their athletic careers and public service roles. Youth across Uttarakhand's districts are the primary beneficiaries of the ODOS nursery model and expanded mini-stadium network.
The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Rekha Arya, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, Special Principal Secretary (Sports) Amit Sinha, Director of Sports Deepti Singh, Joint Director Shakti Singh, Deputy Director Neeraj Gupta, and Assistant Director Rajesh Mamgai, among others.
The Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun, Haldwani Golapar Stadium, Rudrapur Velodrome, Tehri Lake, and stadiums at Haridwar and Pithoragarh are all earmarked for facility upgrades to make post-National Games infrastructure more useful for active athletes. Separately, India's first women's residential sports college at Lohaghat is progressing rapidly, with 16 posts created and admissions under way.
What's Next
The most immediate milestone is the commencement of the academic session at the Uttarakhand State Sports University, Golapar, targeted for next month. Simultaneously, the government is to initiate special training camps across disciplines and begin athlete selection and identification in coordination with various sports federations — all in preparation for the 39th National Games 2027.
The state's declared goal is to outperform its previous medal tally at the next National Games, using the combined leverage of a new state sports policy, district-level nurseries, expanded infrastructure, and a dedicated sports university to position Uttarakhand as a serious national sports hub.
Point of View
Time-bound accountability anchor that will test whether these directives translate into ground-level outcomes.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Dhami announce for medal-winning athletes in Uttarakhand?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to complete the out-of-turn government job absorption process for national-level medal-winning athletes within a fixed timeline, with most such appointees to be placed within the sports department itself. As of the meeting, 29 medal-holding athletes have already been absorbed into government service.
When will the Uttarakhand State Sports University at Golapar start?
CM Dhami directed that the academic session at the Uttarakhand State Sports University, Golapar, Haldwani begin from next month. The university is Uttarakhand's first and India's tenth state sports university, with 39 infrastructure components under development on campus.
What is the One Block One Mini Stadium scheme in Uttarakhand?
The 'One Block One Mini Stadium' scheme is a state initiative to construct mini stadiums in every block of Uttarakhand to support local training and competitions. As of the 2 July 2026 meeting, 48 mini stadiums have been completed and 10 more are under construction.
How is Uttarakhand preparing for the 39th National Games 2027?
CM Dhami directed that special training camps across multiple sports disciplines be launched immediately, and that athlete selection and identification in coordination with sports federations begin without delay. The state's stated goal is to improve on its previous National Games medal tally and establish Uttarakhand as a leading sports state.
What is India's first women's residential sports college and where is it?
India's first women's residential sports college is being established at Lohaghat in Uttarakhand. The college has 16 posts created for its operation and its admission process is currently under way, according to information shared at the 2 July 2026 departmental review meeting.
