National Games: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand on January 28, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. The Games will run until February 14 and will feature around 10,000 athletes competing in 32 different sports across seven venues in the state. While many top athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, will skip this due to their preparation for international competitions, shooting will be one of the key highlights, with Olympic medalists like Manu Bhaker and Rudrankksh Patil participating.
The 38th edition of the National Games will hold special significance for Uttarakhand, as the state is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Games will showcase the region¡¯s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and sporting spirit. The mascot for the Games, ¡®Mauli¡¯, is inspired by Uttarakhand¡¯s state bird, Monal, symbolizing the state's rich heritage.
Apart from the official opening ceremony in Dehradun, other venues for the Games include Haridwar, Nainital, Haldwani, Rudrapur, Shivpuri, and New Tehri. These locations will host various sports competitions, and the Games will feature a mix of Olympic sports and traditional Indian sports.
Although the 38th National Games will attract a large number of athletes, some top names will be missing from action. One of the most notable absences is that of Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. Chopra, along with other top track and field athletes, will skip the Games to focus on preparing for upcoming international events, including the World Championships in Japan later in the year.
One of the major attractions of the 38th National Games will be shooting. Olympic medalists such as Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Vijay Kumar will compete in the Games. Former world champion Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, along with over 360 other shooters, will represent various states. Shooting will be one of the few sports where many top athletes will be in action, making it a key event in the National Games.
Here is a list of some notable athletes who will not be participating in the 38th National Games:
| Athlete? | Sport? | Reason for Skipping?? |
|---|---|---|
| Neeraj Chopra? ? | Athletics? | Preparing for World Championships in Japan |
| Dutee Chand?? | Athletics | Preparing for international events?? |
| Hima Das?? | Athletics | Preparing for international competitions?? |
| Vinesh Phogat? | Wrestling? | Focus on upcoming international wrestling events?? |
| Bajrang Punia?? | Wrestling?? | Preparing for World Championships?? |
Maharashtra, one of the leading states in Indian sports, is sending a large contingent of over 600 athletes to the National Games. After topping the medal tally in the last edition held in Goa in 2023, Maharashtra is aiming to retain the top spot. They won 230 medals in the previous edition, including 82 gold medals, and are targeting over 200 medals this time as well. The state¡¯s sports officials have expressed high hopes for their athletes and are confident that Maharashtra will again come out on top in the medal tally.
The Services team, which emerged as the top team in the 2022 National Games in Gujarat, is also a strong contender this year. With a total of 128 medals, including 61 gold, the Services team is expected to be one of the strongest competitors at the 38th National Games.?
In addition to Olympic sports like athletics, swimming, boxing, and badminton, the 38th National Games will also feature traditional Indian sports such as kabaddi and kho kho.?
With shooting, traditional sports, and a strong contingent from Maharashtra and Services, the Games are expected to be an exciting and competitive event, despite the absence of some star athletes.
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