National Games: State retains third position with 153 medals

Haryana retained third place in the National Games at Dehradun (Uttarakhand), while Services Sports Control Board topped the tally, and Maharashtra came second.

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The games concluded on Friday.

The services board won 68 gold, 26 silver, and 27 bronze. Overall, it won 121 medals. Maharashtra got 54 gold, 71 silver, and 76 bronze, winning 201 medals in total.

On the other hand, Haryana won 153 medals — 48 gold, 47 silver, and 58 bronze.

Director General of Sports Department, Haryana, Sanjeev Verma, said, “Haryana's sports policies are particularly supportive of the remarkable performance of its athletes, which are recognised across India.

“Whether it’s about providing employment after winning medals or giving cash rewards, Haryana's policies are unmatched. Other states in the country often look to Haryana before formulating any policies, and their delegations frequently visit to study the sports infrastructure and policies established by the Haryana Government,” he said.

He attributed the state’s success to Haryana's Sports Nursery Scheme that worked at the grassroots level to nurture players.

Haryana earned the maximum number of medals — 15 — in wushu, with one gold, six silver, and eight bronze. In wrestling and judo, the state earned 14 medals each.

The state won maximum gold — six — in wrestling, followed by fencing (5), netball (5), athletics (4), judo (4), archery (4) and shooting (4).

Meanwhile, the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games was held at the International Sports Stadium, Golapar, Haldwani, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha officially declared the conclusion of the Games.

Shah highlighted that the successful hosting of the Games in Uttarakhand demonstrated India’s readiness for large-scale sporting events.