PT Usha announced the inclusion of traditional sports like yoga and mallakhamb in the Games
The mascot for the 38th National Games, along with the logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline, was unveiled on Sunday at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha announced the inclusion of traditional sports like yoga and mallakhamb in the Games, a decision approved by the IOA after a request from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The mascot, named “Mauli,” is inspired by the Monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand, symbolizing the region’s uniqueness and encouraging young athletes to aim high. The logo, also inspired by the Monal, highlights the natural beauty and diversity of Uttarakhand. The tagline for the Games, “Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak” (From Resolve to Zenith), was also revealed during the event.
Uttarakhand is set to host the National Games from January 28 to February 14, 2025. The event will see over 10,000 athletes, officials, and coaches from across the country, including institutional teams like the Services, competing in 38 sports. Chief Minister Dhami, speaking at the event, described the day as a historic milestone for sports in Uttarakhand. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting the state the opportunity to host the National Games and emphasized Uttarakhand’s readiness to host the event successfully. The ceremonial lighting of the National Games torch marked a key highlight of the event. Symbolizing unity and collective effort, the torch will traverse the state to promote a culture of sports and inspire sportsmanship among the youth. Chief Minister Dhami concluded his address by underscoring the importance of determination in achieving goals, reaffirming the state’s commitment to making the 38th National Games a grand success.