- Uttarakhand created sporting history by hosting the Asian Cadet Cup India-2025 in Haldwani, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on September 19, 2025. Organised by the Fencing Association of India, the event is being held at Manaskhand Hall, Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium.
- This is the first-ever international fencing tournament hosted in India, attracting over 250 athletes, including 150 Indian fencers, along with teams from Tajikistan, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia.
- CM Dhami praised the growing popularity of fencing in India, noting that role models like Arjuna Awardee Bhavani Devi have inspired youth to take up the sport. He described fencing as a discipline rooted in India’s ancient martial traditions, now finding global recognition.
Government Push for Sports Development
- The Chief Minister announced transformative initiatives to position Uttarakhand as a sports hub. These include:
- Establishment of the state’s first Sports University and Women’s Sports College in Haldwani.
- Launch of the Sports Legacy Plan with 23 academies in eight cities.
- ₹517 crore investment in sports infrastructure.
- A 4% sports quota in government jobs and out-of-turn jobs for medal winners.
- Expansion of Pantnagar Airport and new train services for athlete and tourist access.
- The Asian Cadet Cup marks not just a global fencing milestone but also Uttarakhand’s emergence as a vibrant sporting destination, blending infrastructure growth, youth empowerment, and international recognition.