Sports Colleges at Every Division, International Stadium in Gorakhpur: Yogi Adityanath’s Big Push

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced that sports colleges will be opened at every divisional headquarters, while work on an international stadium in Gorakhpur is progressing. The statement came during the MLA Sports Meet-2025 closing ceremony, where the chief minister linked stronger sports infrastructure with broader opportunities for youth across both rural and urban areas of the state.

The event was held at Veer Bahadur Singh Sports College in the Gorakhpur Urban assembly constituency, where Yogi Adityanath attended the prize distribution. The chief minister watched the finals of the 74 kg wrestling event and the kabaddi match, applauded the performances, and later honoured the winning players at the venue packed with participants and supporters.

Uttar Pradesh sports colleges and international stadium in Gorakhpur: infrastructure push

Detailing the larger plan, Yogi Adityanath said the government is upgrading sports facilities in a phased and structured way. "Playgrounds are being developed in every gram panchayat, mini stadiums at block level and large stadiums at the district level are coming up. Now, preparations are under way to set up sports colleges at every divisional headquarters," he said. Professional coaching setups are also set to receive additional support.

The chief minister underlined that the aim is to offer identical chances to all talented players. "The state government is continuously strengthening sports infrastructure so that every young talent, whether from villages or cities, gets equal opportunities to excel," he said. Yogi Adityanath added that stronger training support is intended to create a consistent stream of athletes capable of performing at higher levels.

Uttar Pradesh sports colleges and international stadium in Gorakhpur: key projects

Yogi Adityanath highlighted Gorakhpur’s expanding sports network, mentioning several projects already underway. An international stadium is coming up near Belipar, while the existing regional stadium is being upgraded at a cost of ₹63 crore. Veer Bahadur Singh Sports College is also receiving modern facilities to better support athletes from the region and surrounding districts.

The chief minister also referred to developments beyond Gorakhpur. Sessions have started at the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut, which is planned as a world-class sports education centre. Yogi Adityanath said the university would support advanced training and academics, giving athletes a structured pathway from school-level participation to higher performance platforms.

Key projects mentioned at the event are summarised below.

Looking ahead, Yogi Adityanath stated that educational institutions in Gorakhpur will be requested to adopt specific sports. The chief minister said a meeting would soon be held with schools and colleges, where the government would offer help such as trained coaches. The idea is to create clear platforms for young players through focused support in selected disciplines.

Yogi Adityanath also spoke about the link between sport, health and national growth. Stressing the value of regular play, the chief minister said, "If the youth plays, the nation blossoms. A healthy body is the foundation of success, and sports and yoga play a vital role in physical and mental fitness." Separate competitive structures are planned for different age and education groups.

According to the chief minister, future MLA sports meets will feature wider participation. The next edition will include events for working professionals and retired citizens at ward, sub-urban and city levels. Children and students will compete in distinct categories spread across basic, secondary and higher education levels, with separate events for boys and girls to encourage broader involvement.

Other leaders present linked the infrastructure drive with changes in the state’s sports culture. Minister for fisheries Sanjay Nishad said that under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, athletes are getting equal opportunities, adding, "The government has replaced the culture of crime with a true sporting spirit in Uttar Pradesh." Sports and youth welfare minister Girish Chandra Yadav expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh will soon become a major medal-winning state at national and international competitions.

Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla said the chief minister is working to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of "Khelega India, Badhega India" by ensuring high-quality facilities reach even rural areas. With new sports colleges planned at every divisional headquarters and an international stadium rising near Belipar, state officials stressed that recent projects are intended to give more structured opportunities to athletes across Uttar Pradesh.