Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), or Services as it is popularly known, continued to rule the roost at the National Games, topping the medal tally at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. Services have emerged victors for the fifth time in the last six Games. (More Sports News)
SSCB finished with 68 gold, 26 silver and 27 bronze medals, ahead of the nearest competitor Maharashtra, who tallied 54 gold, 71 silver and 73 bronze. Haryana stood third with 48 gold, 47 silver and 58 bronze.
Karnataka (34 gold, 18 silver, 28 bronze) and Madhya Pradesh (33 gold, 26 silver, 23 bronze) finished at fourth and fifth positions respectively. Tamil Nadu (27 gold, 30 silver, 34 bronze), Uttarakhand (24 gold, 35 silver, 43 bronze), West Bengal (16 gold, 13 silver, 18 bronze), Punjab (15 gold, 20 silver, 31 bronze) and Delhi (15 gold, 18 silver, 29 bronze) rounded off the top-10.
The Games began with triathlon events on January 26, and had a formal opening ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 28. Sports events at the National Games concluded on February 13.
Services, a team comprising Army personnel, have emerged as the National Games champions the most number of times since the Games were revamped in 1985. They won four back-to-back titles in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2022 before their juggernaut was halted by Maharashtra at the previous edition.
The 2025 edition of the National Games, which began on January 28, drew to a close with the official closing ceremony in Haldwani on Friday, February 14, with Union home minister Amit Shah in attendance. "I can say it today that India has a very bright future in sports. We are ready to host the Olympics in 2036," Shah said in his address, referring to India's bid to host the Olympics in 2036 that is still in early stages.
It is time now for the baton to pass to the next Games. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, upon declaring the 38th Games closed, handed over the flag to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, as his state will host the next edition of the Games.
(With PTI inputs)
