Uttarakhand Budget 2025-26: Sports academies, Champawat Girls Sports College received no allocation, raising doubts about 'Dev Bhoomi' becoming 'Khel Bhoomi'

Sports academies, Champawat Girls Sports College received no allocation, raising doubts about 'Dev Bhoomi' becoming 'Khel Bhoomi'

The Uttarakhand government's recent budget allocation for sports has sparked concerns among enthusiasts and experts. Despite the government's aspiration to transform the state into a "Khel Bhoomi" (sports land), the budget seems to be falling short of expectations.

According to former Uttarakhand Sports Council member secretary Dhirendra Kapdi, the budget allocation for sports has seen a drastic reduction compared to the previous year. Kapdi highlights that several sports academies in the state, including the Champawat Girls Sports College and the Sports Development Fund, have received no budget allocation.

Kapdi further questions the government's commitment to sports development in light of these funding disparities. He points out that various sports academies in the state, such as the Champawat Girls Sports College, are yet to become fully functional due to a lack of funding and staff.

Moreover, the state government's ambitious plan to establish a sports university in Haldwani has also hit a roadblock. In his budget speech, Finance Minister Premchand Agarwal announced the establishment of the sports university.

However, only a token amount of ₹1,000 crore has been allocated for the project at this time. Experts believe that this token allocation signifies that additional funding will be provided later.

"It is uncertain when and how much supplementary funding will be released," they noted. Until this funding is received, there will be no clarity or framework for the preparations regarding the sports university.

In the recent budget allocation, a total of ₹250 crores has been earmarked for sports under both revenue and capital heads. This amount must cover departmental salaries and other expenses, in addition to the development of sports.

Last year (2024-25), the department received over ₹500 crores for the National Games, marking a direct cut of ₹250 crores this time around. Furthermore, a proposal has been submitted for a budget of ₹864 crores for 2025-26.

"This budget includes expenses for maintaining international-level sports facilities, establishing academies for various sports, constructing a women's sports college in Champawat, setting up a sports university in Haldwani, and funding for sports development initiatives," officials stated.

Additionally, ₹16 crores were requested for the Emerging Fund to encourage new athletes, but only ₹10 crores have been allocated