Narendra Modi Inaugurates 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th Summer National Games at Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 28 January 2025. Goa hosted the 37th Summer National Games from 25 September -9 November 2023 with Maharashtra topping the medal tally with 228 medals-  80 gold, 69 silver, and 79 bronze. 

Uttarakhand is hosting the Summer National Games for the first time and it will be held from 28 January to 14 February 2025 across 9 cities of the state. 

With the theme of ‘Green Games’, the 38th National Games uses recyclable materials, rainwater harvesting, eco-friendly transportation systems, etc. It aims to inspire individuals and organizations to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

Highlights of the Opening Ceremony 

• The opening ceremony was held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• Along with Prime Minister Modi, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present on the occasion.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the National Games torch named Tejaswini from the 2024 Paris Olympic semi-finalist Badminton player Lakshya Sen.
• The National Games torch covered a 4000 km journey across the 13 districts of Uttarakhand.
• The Opening ceremony started with a classical dance ‘Tandav’, which is an ode to Lord Shiva. 
• 2025 conches were blown to mark the opening of the Games.
• During his speech, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government's commitment to bring the 2036 Summer Olympics to India.

About the 38th Summer National Games 

The 38th Summer National Games is being organised by the Indian Olympic Association in association with the Uttarakhand government.

Around 10,000 athletes and officials from States/Union Territories and institutions are participating in the National Games.

• Mascot of the Game - Mauli. Mauli is a Monal bird which is the state bird of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The monal bird is the native of the Himalayas.
• Sport Events -32 sports and four demonstration events, including mallakhamb, kalarippayattu, rafting and yogasana.
• Host Cities - 12  Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Rudrapur, Rishikesh, Haldwani, Tanakpur, Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital, Bhimtal and Khatima.

About the Summer National Games 

The Summer National Games is an Olympic-style multi-event game that is organised by the Indian Olympic Association and hosted by a state government.

Until the 24th National Games 1970, the Summer National Games were held every two years, but since then, they have been held irregularly.

The first National Games was held in 1924 at Lahore (now in Pakistan) and was called the All-India Olympic Games. 

It assumed its present name at the 9th edition held in Bombay(now Mumbai) in 1940.

List of the National Games 

The following is the list of all the editions of the Summer National Games and the host city/state.