Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the 38th edition of the National Games, set to be held from January 28 to February 14.
“I am grateful to PM Modi for agreeing to inaugurate the National Games. We had requested his presence, and he has kindly consented. We also informed him about the winter yatra and invited him to stay for a day during the yatra,” said CM Dhami.
In December last year, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed Uttarakhand as the host for the 2025 edition of the National Games. The event will see over 10,000 athletes, officials, and coaches competing in 38 sports across various cities in the state.
“The 38th National Games in Uttarakhand will be a significant milestone in promoting both traditional and modern sports in India,” stated IOA President PT Usha, as quoted by Olympics.com. “By including demonstration sports like kalaripayattu, yogasana, mallakhambh, and rafting, we honor India’s rich cultural heritage while also providing new opportunities for athletes,” she added.
The National Games of India, modeled after the Olympic Games, bring together athletes from across the country to compete for medals. The upcoming edition will feature 32 main sports and four demonstration events.
The last edition, held in Goa in 2023, spanned five cities—Mapusa, Margao, Panjim, Ponda, and Vasco—with Maharashtra emerging as the top performer, securing 228 medals, including 80 golds. The 2022 edition, hosted by Gujarat, marked the return of the National Games after a seven-year break, with Services winning 128 medals, including 61 golds.
Hosting the National Games is expected to elevate Uttarakhand’s status as a prominent sports and tourism destination. The event’s inclusion of traditional sports alongside Olympic events highlights its cultural diversity and broadens opportunities for athletes.