Uttarakhand has sped up preparation works for 38th National Games in the hill state next year. Uttarakhand government has expressed unwillingness to conduct five sport disciplines for the national games. The state government hosted a meeting recently in Dehradun and decided to approach the Indian Olympic Association and ask the apex sports body to eliminate cycling, horse riding, golf, modern pentathlon and sailing disciplines from the 38th National Games.

Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh held a meeting, in connection with the preparation work for the national games, and directed to formulate action plan for from the 18 committees constituted for the discharge of various functions related to the national games.

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Secretary Sports  Brijesh Sant said, “The Indian Olympic Association had shortlisted 34 sports disciplines for the games. In the meeting, it was agreed to send the proposal from Uttarakhand government side to the Indian Olympic Association for omitting cycling, horse riding, golf, modern pentathlon and sailing disciplines from the 38th National Games.”

Uttarakhand expects to complete the entire infrastructure for conducting 29 sports disciplines by May 2021. Uttarakhand participated in the 32nd National Games (Kerala) in 2015 and finished a poor 23 among 32 participants by winning 2 gold, 5 silver and 13 bronze medals. Uttarakhand faces huge challenge in proving its sports capabilities at the national games it will be hosting with big budget in the hill state.