Lucknow | The Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) is gearing up to submit a formal bid to host the first edition of the National Youth Games in the state. The announcement came during the association’s Annual General Meeting held at Hotel Fortune Park BBD, Lucknow, under the chairmanship of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and UPOA Chairman Brijesh Pathak.
Addressing the media, UPOA General Secretary Dr. Anandeshwar Pandey revealed that a detailed action plan is being drafted and will soon be submitted to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). “We are preparing to host the inaugural National Youth Games in 2027, featuring 12 to 15 major sports disciplines,” he said.
Focus on Athlete Development
Chairman Brijesh Pathak instructed officials to compile a list of top-performing athletes in registered sports and assess their needs to provide tailored support. He emphasized the importance of creating a robust foundation for sports excellence in Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Pandey further announced that ahead of the National Youth Games, the state will organize its own Uttar Pradesh State Games to better prepare its athletes. He added that the state is also positioning itself as a potential host for future National Games, citing its growing infrastructure and sporting capacity.
Strengthening Support Systems
Working President Dr. Navneet Sehgal highlighted the availability of financial aid through the Eklavya Sports Fund, and proposed extending benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to emerging athletes. He also suggested setting up Health ATMs in sports complexes and developing a dedicated UPOA website, both of which received positive endorsement from Chairman Pathak.
Financial Support and Commitments
During the meeting, UPOA Treasurer Dr. Syed Rafat Zubair Rizvi presented the financial report of the association. In a show of solidarity, Brijesh Pathak announced a personal grant of ₹51,000 to the UPOA. Several dignitaries followed suit, including:
- Pawan Singh Chauhan, Patron, UP Rowing Association (MLC)
- Vijay Bahadur Pathak, Vice-President, UPOA (MLC)
- OP Singh, Associate VP & Former Sports Minister
- VK Singh, Associate VP & IPS, ADG
- UK Mishra, UP Gymnastics Association
- Dr. Rizvi, UPOA Treasurer
Each pledged ₹51,000 in support, receiving a thunderous applause from the assembly.
Prominent Attendees
The event saw enthusiastic participation from state and district sports association officials. Notable attendees included:
- Padma Shri Sudha Singh, Olympian and Asian Games gold medalist
- Gulab Chandra, International medalist athlete
- Sunil Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, UP Volleyball Association
- Rohit Pandey & Atul Agnihotri, UP Boxing Association
- Sudhir Sharma, Secretary, UP Rowing Association
- Jatin Verma & Eugene Paul, UP Fencing Association
- Dr. Rajat Aditya Dixit, Secretary, UP Taekwondo
- Jaspal Singh, Secretary, Karate Association of UP
- Amit Pandey & Vinay Kumar Singh, UP Handball Association
With broad participation and strong institutional backing, the UPOA’s ambitious vision for youth sports development in Uttar Pradesh is rapidly gaining momentum. The bid for the 2027 National Youth Games could mark a turning point in the state’s emergence as a key player in India’s sports ecosystem.
