From cleaning Maoist camps to building India’s first Olympic-standard ice rink, Amit Kumar Sinha ’s journey mirrors Uttarakhand’s transformation over the past 25 years. The 1997-batch IPS officer, now Special Principal Secretary for Sports and Youth Welfare, believes that sports, technology, and youth engagement are the keys to the state’s future.
In an exclusive conversation during Uttarakhand@25, a Times of India special series, Sinha said his current challenge lies not in law enforcement, but in shaping the dreams of young athletes and creating systems that can nurture talent from remote villages to global arenas.
From policing to powerlifting and policy
Sinha, a national powerlifter and alumnus of IIT Roorkee, is often called the “Singham of Uttarakhand”—a title he modestly dismisses, crediting all officers who serve. He has previously played key roles in disaster relief, Maoist crackdown, and the Tehri dam agitation, before taking on sports and youth welfare.
“Sports and youth welfare need system building. When I joined, I had to prepare for the national games under tight timelines. But I enjoy challenges,” he said.
Sports infra boom: From zero grounds to 150 stadiums
Under his watch, Uttarakhand saw a dramatic improvement in infrastructure. The state now has over 150 stadiums and 25 multipurpose halls, with Olympic-level facilities spread across Dehradun, Haldwani, and Pithoragarh. The Maharana Pratap Sports College even boasts a 160-lane shooting range—one of only three in the country—and a professional ice rink, the first of its kind in South Asia.
Sinha also highlighted how medals were made from e-waste in collaboration with a Uttarakhand-based recycler, promoting sustainability. Solar panels and eco-friendly construction marked another first for the state’s sports facilities.
Building athletes from the ground up
Recognising the natural advantage of mountain athletes in endurance sports, the state launched the Udhyaman scholarship, giving Rs 1,500/month to kids as young as eight who show potential. “We’re identifying talent early. We’re also running 13 sports hostels and two colleges, where students train and study together,” he said.
Transparency in selection was another focus. “We brought federations into the process, making them lead trials while we observed. This eliminated bias,” he added. The result? Uttarakhand moved from 25th to 7th in the medal tally during the national games, winning 103 medals.
Drone training, startups, anti-drug push
Sinha’s youth policies also focus on innovation and employability. Through Mangal Dals—village-level youth and women’s groups—his department has trained young people in drone servicing, photography, and small-scale entrepreneurship.
He strongly advocates sports as a therapy for mental health and drug addiction. “We promote ‘Say no to drugs, yes to sports’. Even two former alcoholics ran in our police masters’ event and pledged to quit,” he shared.
Olympic dreams and sports science
With 4 athletes from the state in the Paris Olympics, Uttarakhand now aims to send 40 players to the 2036 Games. “We are setting up 23 sports academies in seven cities and plan to open a sports science centre. We need top-level physiotherapists, sensors, equipment, and nutrition support,” he added.
His message to the youth: “Stay away from drugs, use mobiles to improve yourself, and bring playground culture into your lives.”
In an exclusive conversation during Uttarakhand@25, a Times of India special series, Sinha said his current challenge lies not in law enforcement, but in shaping the dreams of young athletes and creating systems that can nurture talent from remote villages to global arenas.
From policing to powerlifting and policy
Sinha, a national powerlifter and alumnus of IIT Roorkee, is often called the “Singham of Uttarakhand”—a title he modestly dismisses, crediting all officers who serve. He has previously played key roles in disaster relief, Maoist crackdown, and the Tehri dam agitation, before taking on sports and youth welfare.
“Sports and youth welfare need system building. When I joined, I had to prepare for the national games under tight timelines. But I enjoy challenges,” he said.
Sports infra boom: From zero grounds to 150 stadiums
Under his watch, Uttarakhand saw a dramatic improvement in infrastructure. The state now has over 150 stadiums and 25 multipurpose halls, with Olympic-level facilities spread across Dehradun, Haldwani, and Pithoragarh. The Maharana Pratap Sports College even boasts a 160-lane shooting range—one of only three in the country—and a professional ice rink, the first of its kind in South Asia.
Sinha also highlighted how medals were made from e-waste in collaboration with a Uttarakhand-based recycler, promoting sustainability. Solar panels and eco-friendly construction marked another first for the state’s sports facilities.
Building athletes from the ground up
Recognising the natural advantage of mountain athletes in endurance sports, the state launched the Udhyaman scholarship, giving Rs 1,500/month to kids as young as eight who show potential. “We’re identifying talent early. We’re also running 13 sports hostels and two colleges, where students train and study together,” he said.
Transparency in selection was another focus. “We brought federations into the process, making them lead trials while we observed. This eliminated bias,” he added. The result? Uttarakhand moved from 25th to 7th in the medal tally during the national games, winning 103 medals.
Drone training, startups, anti-drug push
Sinha’s youth policies also focus on innovation and employability. Through Mangal Dals—village-level youth and women’s groups—his department has trained young people in drone servicing, photography, and small-scale entrepreneurship.
He strongly advocates sports as a therapy for mental health and drug addiction. “We promote ‘Say no to drugs, yes to sports’. Even two former alcoholics ran in our police masters’ event and pledged to quit,” he shared.
Olympic dreams and sports science
With 4 athletes from the state in the Paris Olympics, Uttarakhand now aims to send 40 players to the 2036 Games. “We are setting up 23 sports academies in seven cities and plan to open a sports science centre. We need top-level physiotherapists, sensors, equipment, and nutrition support,” he added.
His message to the youth: “Stay away from drugs, use mobiles to improve yourself, and bring playground culture into your lives.”
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