Lucknow, Nov 12 (Representative) Uttar Pradesh is steadily evolving into a prominent sports hub, with a keen focus on nurturing and developing young talent, official sources said here on Tuesday. Sources said that over the past seven and a half years, the state government has made significant strides in enhancing sports infrastructure, especially in rural areas. “More than 18,000 playgrounds have been established across rural regions, providing young athletes with opportunities to hone their skills,” they said. The Yogi government’s commitment to promoting sports extends to ambitious plans to build playgrounds and open gyms in all 57,000 gram panchayats, mini stadiums in each of the 826 development blocks and well-equipped stadiums in every district. This comprehensive approach aims to create a robust sports ecosystem, ensuring that aspiring athletes from all corners of the state have access to top-notch facilities and a platform to showcase their talent. Due to the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the sports environment in UP has greatly improved. The Yogi government, working in sync with central government schemes for athletes, has made planned efforts over the last seven and a half years to promote sports and support players. As a result, university-level leagues and village-level sports competitions have started in the state, providing athletes with opportunities to advance. In addition, several programmes have been introduced to further promote sports across the state. According to the state government data, UP now boasts 84 stadiums, 67 multi-purpose halls, 38 swimming pools, 15 synthetic hockey stadiums and 3 synthetic running tracks.
Besides, the state has established 2 international cricket stadiums, 16 hostels, 47 state-of-the-art gyms, 20 synthetic tennis courts and 19 dormitories for players. Besides, 2 judo halls, 13 wrestling halls, 6 shooting ranges, 2 indoor volleyball courts, 12 weightlifting halls and 14 synthetic basketball courts have been completed across the state. The state government is working with large goals in mind to further encourage sports and support athletes. The government’s commitment to building and upgrading sports infrastructure in rural areas is not only empowering athletes, but also bridging the urban-rural divide while promoting community welfare. Sports resources are being made available at the village level for athletes, which is helping uncover new talent in rural areas. Additionally, the construction of these fields under the MGNREGA scheme is providing continuous employment opportunities for workers. This initiative aims to encourage sports among schoolchildren and other community members in villages, promoting better health and overall community development.
Since the 2017-18 period, over 18,000 playgrounds have been built across UP as part of the action plan developed by the Rural Development Department. Construction of playgrounds has been ongoing in the state since 2017. In the current financial year of 2024-25, more than 2,700 new playgrounds have already been completed, and work is underway on more than 15,000 additional playgrounds. The development of sports fields in rural areas has significantly increased the youth’s interest in sports. This initiative is not only enhancing physical fitness but also contributing to the overall development of the youth. With the availability of sports fields, many talented youngsters who previously lacked access to proper facilities are now able to showcase their abilities. The newly built sports fields are allowing them to excel in various sports and improve their performance. The inclusion of running tracks in these sports fields has enabled young people to train for military, paramilitary forces, police, CRPF, and other competitive services right in their villages. The development of sports infrastructure is helping youth with physical training, allowing them to enhance their strength and stamina.