Chandigarh: Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister of Haryana, said that Haryana has a strong claim to host or co-host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing the state’s outstanding contribution to India’s sporting achievements.
Hooda said that Haryana accounts for just 2 per cent of the country’s population, yet its athletes have consistently won a large share of India’s medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games, bringing recognition and glory to the country on the international stage. He said that, given this record, Haryana rightfully deserves the opportunity to host or co-host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Hooda also criticised the BJP over what he described as viewing athletes’ achievements through the lens of caste. He said, “No athlete belongs to just one caste; they belong to the entire nation.” According to Hooda, such an approach by BJP leaders reflects a narrow-minded outlook and undermines the achievements of India’s sportspersons.
Highlighting the sports policies implemented during the Congress government in Haryana, Hooda said the state’s sports policy continues to be praised across the country and internationally. He said the Congress government directly appointed 17 medal-winning athletes who brought glory to the country as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs). He specifically mentioned sportspersons including Yogeshwar Dutt, Joginder Sharma, Vijender Singh and Mamta Sodha.
Hooda further said that the Congress government introduced a policy under which medal-winning athletes could receive cash rewards of up to ₹5 crore, which he described as the highest such reward in the world. He also highlighted the SPAT scheme, which was launched to identify sporting talent at the school level and benefited around 20 lakh children.
According to Hooda, the Congress government also provided scholarships, constructed sports complexes and stadiums at the village and block levels, strengthened sports infrastructure and established numerous sports academies across Haryana.
He claimed that the results of these initiatives were reflected in India’s performance at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where India won 38 medals, including 22 gold medals won by Haryana athletes, according to his statement. Hooda said the impact of the sports policies introduced during the Congress era continues to be visible even years later.
Hooda alleged that the BJP government subsequently scrapped the sports policy implemented during the Congress era, thereby depriving athletes of rewards, recognition and important positions.
He demanded that all athletes who win medals at the Commonwealth Games should be immediately appointed to senior positions such as DSP, stressing that there should be no negligence in recognising and honouring the dignity and achievements of talented Indian athletes.
