Sports Foster Not Just Champions but Also Peace, Progress, and Well-being: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini emphasized that sports are not just a means to win medals but also serve as a powerful tool to win hearts, promote peace, progress, and well-being. He stated that sports play a crucial role in connecting the world, fostering discipline, dedication, and teamwork. He urged police personnel to extend their sportsmanship beyond the field and incorporate it into their daily lives, integrating discipline, commitment, and teamwork into their professional duties.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while attending the closing ceremony of the 73rd All India Police Volleyball Cluster 2024-25 at Madhuban Police Academy, Karnal. As the chief guest, he felicitated the winning players and appreciated their dedication and perseverance in the sport. He noted that the tournament was not just a display of athletic skills but also a testament to the discipline, unity, and dedication of the police force.

CM Saini highlighted that sports are more than just a form of entertainment; they play a significant role in enhancing physical fitness, strengthening mental resilience, and instilling patience and determination. He emphasized that sports help individuals develop the ability to endure challenging situations and build character. This is particularly vital for police personnel who serve the nation tirelessly, ensuring internal security, maintaining law and order, and responding to emergencies with efficiency and bravery.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the 73rd All India Police Volleyball Cluster saw participation from 35 teams, comprising 1,088 players, including 791 male athletes, 297 female athletes, and 65 technical officials from different states. He commended the efforts of the participants and encouraged them to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork, both on and off the field. He also reiterated the role of sports in strengthening national unity by fostering mutual understanding and camaraderie among participants from diverse backgrounds.

Discussing the deep-rooted connection between sports and the police force, CM Saini remarked that a good police officer is often also a good athlete, as physical fitness is a fundamental requirement in law enforcement. He noted that Haryana has consistently contributed outstanding athletes to national and international sports events, with its players securing remarkable achievements in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. He proudly recalled that in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Haryana players won four out of the seven medals secured by India. Similarly, at the 2022 Asian Games, Haryana athletes bagged 28 out of the 111 medals won by India, showcasing the state’s exceptional sports culture and government-backed initiatives.

CM Saini further elaborated on Haryana’s comprehensive sports policies, stating that the Haryana Excellence in Sports Service Rules 2021 were formulated to ensure secure employment for sportspersons. The government has created 550 new positions in the sports department, of which 224 athletes have already been given government jobs. Additionally, direct recruitment reservations have been introduced in categories from Class I to Class IV for medal-winning athletes. Haryana remains the first state to offer cash rewards to athletes, disbursing ₹591 crores in prize money to date. Furthermore, 218 athletes demonstrating outstanding performance in sports have been granted stipends.

To further support aspiring young athletes, the Haryana government has introduced scholarships for students excelling in national and international sports events. Since 2014, over 29,000 students have benefited from scholarships amounting to ₹53.45 crore. The state currently operates 1,489 sports nurseries, training over 37,225 athletes. In addition, Haryana has developed a robust sports infrastructure to provide world-class training facilities for its athletes.

Encouraging players, CM Saini urged them to give their best in every game, emphasizing that winning and losing are both part of the journey. He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that no one truly loses in sports; rather, everyone learns valuable lessons. He underscored that the role of police personnel extends beyond their duty to law enforcement; their contribution to making Haryana and India a developed nation is immense.

Haryana has hosted the All India Police Games 19 times, and DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor expressed gratitude for this honor. He informed that the state government has significantly increased allowances for players, tripling their daily allowances, increasing uniform allowances by 2.5 times, and introducing mobile allowances. Travel allowances have been doubled from 10 to 20 days, and ration allowances have also been raised. Additionally, the government has tripled the ex gratia amount provided to the families of martyred police personnel. Haryana has also established 22 police public schools and 16 e-libraries in police lines across the state, along with gyms in every district to promote fitness among officers.

During the event, Joint Director of IB, IPS Vidhu Shekhar, also addressed the players, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence. Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included Organizing Committee Secretary and IG Om Prakash, Rohtak Range IG KK Rao, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh, and SP Ganga Ram Poonia.

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