UPOA to bid for 2027 National Youth Games

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) will bid to host the National Youth Games in 2027. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, general secretary Anandeshwar Pandey announced that the UPOA would submit a bid for the National Youth Games, which are expected to include 12 to 15 disciplines. "Prior to the forthcoming National Games, the UP State Games will be held to assess the preparation of athletes," he said, adding that the state also intends to bid for the National Games in the near future. The AGM was presided over by the association's chairman, Brajesh Pathak. "Officials have been instructed to identify outstanding athletes participating in registered sports, assess their requirements, and provide the necessary support," Pathak said. Meanwhile, executive president Navneet Sehgal said that there are plans to extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme to benefit emerging athletes. Earlier, UPOA president Viraj Sagar Das welcomed the officials and reaffirmed the association's ongoing commitment to sports development. During the course of the meeting, Brajesh Pathak announced a grant of Rs 51,000 to the association, which was followed by similar contributions from UP Rowing Association patron Pawan Singh Chauhan, UPOA vice-president Vijay Bahadur Pathak, associate vice-presidents OP Singh and VK Singh, UK Mishra, and UPOA treasurer Syed Rafat Zubair Rizvi. Also present were UPOA vice-presidents Sudhir Halwasiya and Abhijit Sarkar, Padma Shri awardee Sudha Singh, and international medallist Gulab Chand.