Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government's vision extends beyond winning medals to creating a strong sporting culture where talent gets opportunities, hard work receives due recognition, and every young person is empowered to pursue their dreams with confidence. He said the government is not merely distributing cash awards but laying a strong foundation for sporting excellence to contribute to the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at a cash award distribution ceremony held at the PWD Rest House Auditorium, Sector-1, to felicitate the state's outstanding Sportspersons. Minister of State for Sports Sh. Gaurav Gautam was also present on the occasion.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister presented cash awards totaling Rs 20.59 crore to 198 sportspersons who had won medals or represented the country in major international and national sporting events. The awards included Rs 13.75 crore for 117 sportspersons who excelled in international-level competitions, Rs 2.32 crore for three sportspersons of 2022 Para Asian Games, and Rs 4.52 crore for 78 national-level sportspersons.
Highlighting the state's commitment to promoting sports, the Chief Minister said that over the past 12 years, the Haryana Government has disbursed Rs 709 crore in cash rewards to 16,984 sportspersons. With today’s distribution, the total cash incentive provided to athletes has reached approximately Rs 730 crore.
Congratulating the awardees, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that while the glory of winning a medal may last only a few moments, the journey to achieve it is marked by years of relentless dedication, discipline, and perseverance. He expressed confidence that the honored athletes would continue to bring laurels to Haryana and the nation through their outstanding performances.
The Chief Minister said that the soil of India has produced athletes who have demonstrated to the world that no matter how challenging the circumstances, history can be rewritten through determination and unwavering resolve. Citing the examples of Milkha Singh, popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh', Murlikant Petkar, and Mary Kom, he said their life journeys offer an enduring lesson that challenges are a part of everyone's life, but true champions are those who confront them with courage rather than surrender to them.
Instead of allowing adversity to define their destiny, they turned every obstacle into a source of strength, inspiration, and ultimately, their greatest triumphs. Sh Nayab Singh Saini said it is a matter of immense pride that Haryana has consistently produced athletes who have brought laurels to India on the global stage.
Despite accounting for only about two percent of the country's population, Haryana contributes more than one-third of India's medals in major international sporting events. He said that athletes from the state have made the nation proud through their outstanding performances at the Paris Olympics, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Interacting with the athletes present at the ceremony, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, they would continue to script new success stories by winning medals for the country at the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Olympic Games. The Chief Minister said that the world is entering the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the field of sports is no exception.
Today, AI is helping analyse athletes' fitness, predict injury risks, assess opponents' strategies, and make training more scientific and data-driven. It can measure speed, monitor heart rate, and evaluate technique with remarkable precision.
However, he emphasized that AI can never measure an athlete's passion, understand the spirit of patriotism, or replicate the emotions reflected in the eyes of a sportsperson standing on the victory podium with the Tricolour draped over their shoulders. Addressing the athletes, Sh Nayab Singh Saini urged them to embrace technology while preserving the human spirit that drives excellence.
He said the future belongs to those who combine technological advancement with determination, discipline, and human values. Highlighting the Haryana Government's initiatives to promote sports and support athletes, the Chief Minister said that 260 sportspersons have been provided government jobs under the Outstanding Sportspersons Recruitment Rules.
He also informed that the state's sports gradation policy has recently been amended to extend its benefits to athletes participating in the Haryana State Games. He further said that the monthly honorarium for award-winning athletes has been enhanced. Under the revised provisions, recipients of the Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand, and Tenzing Norgay awards receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000, while Bhim Award winners are entitled to Rs 5,000 per month.
The Chief Minister said that every champion's journey begins on village playgrounds and in school sports fields. With this vision, the Haryana Government has established 2,000 sports nurseries, is providing monthly scholarships ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 to athletes in the 8–19 years age group, and has introduced a daily diet allowance of Rs 500 for trainees at 25 residential sports academies.
He further stated that the state government has invested Rs 1,100 crore in developing sports infrastructure over the past 12 years. During the same period, the Sports Department's budget has increased from Rs 163 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 668.42 crore. He also highlighted that North India's first 'A-Star' Scientific Training and Rehabilitation Centre has been established at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula, at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Sports Sh Gaurav Gautam said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana has emerged as a Sports Hub. He said the government is strengthening sports infrastructure and providing world-class facilities to enable sportspersons to train effectively, excel in national and international competitions, and continue bringing laurels to the state and the nation.
He said that under the guidance of the Chief Minister, 'Mission-2036' has been launched with the ambitious target of securing 36 Olympic medals. To achieve this goal, the state government is providing sportspersons with modern sports facilities and strengthening sports infrastructure in Stadiums across the State at a cost of approximately Rs 300 crore.
He further said that Haryana's sports policy is being widely appreciated across the country. Owing to this progressive policy, coupled with the dedication and hard work of its athletes, the state continues to produce exceptional performances in national and international competitions, bringing laurels to both Haryana and the nation.
Former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Sham Lal Bansal, BJP District President Ajay Mittal, BJP State Vice President Banto Kataria, Director Sports Department Parth Gupta, along with distinguished athletes, coaches, and other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.