38th National Games open in Dehradun; Uttarakhand hosts multi-city event through 14 February
The 38th National Games opened in Dehradun with events across multiple Uttarakhand cities through 14 February, featuring more than 10,000 athletes and competitions in dozens of disciplines, according to PMO and PTI reports.
- Reporting desk
- Health India Network News Desk
- First published
Games begin in Uttarakhand
The 38th National Games have begun in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with the event scheduled to run from 28 January to 14 February. The Prime Minister’s Office said the Games will be held across 11 cities in eight districts, bringing together athletes from across the country to compete across a wide range of sports disciplines.
The PMO note highlights the scale of participation—over 10,000 athletes—and adds that the Games this year carry a sustainability focus, with a “Green Games” theme. It also mentions initiatives such as developing a Sports Forest near the venue and using eco-friendly materials for medals and certificates.
Opening ceremony and competition format
A PTI report carried by NDTV Sports described a colourful opening ceremony that showcased Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and biodiversity, as athletes geared up to compete across 32 disciplines. The Games will be staged across seven cities, with Dehradun as the main venue, and a large medal haul at stake over the competition window.
National Games often serve as a crucial platform for state teams and emerging athletes to test themselves in multi-sport conditions, with performances also feeding into selection conversations in certain sports. The spread across multiple host cities can help broaden local engagement, but it also raises logistical and scheduling demands for teams and organisers.
Fitness message and broader significance
In remarks shared by the PMO, the Prime Minister linked the National Games to broader public fitness goals, urging daily exercise and healthier diets, including a reduction in cooking oil usage. Such messaging aligns the event with Fit India-style public health narratives while spotlighting competitive sport.
Over the next two weeks, focus will shift to standout individual performances, state medal tallies, and how well venues manage the demands of back-to-back events. As the Games progress, athletes and federations will also watch for signals on high-performance support and pathways into national teams.