From 'Grassroots to Global' : Himachal pushes sports promotion in a big way
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
The Himachal Pradesh Government has accorded top priority to the promotion of sports by strengthening infrastructure and enhancing incentives for sportspersons, said Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday. He said the State was making significant investments in modern sports facilities while offering improved prize money, higher diet allowances and assured employment opportunities to encourage youth to pursue sports professionally.
The Chief Minister said that these initiatives were helping channelize the energy of young people in a positive direction, promoting fitness and steering youth away from social evils. He added that better incentives and career security were motivating talented players to adopt sports as a full-time profession. Sukhu said that the present State Government was promoting sports activities on a large scale, unlike the previous regime which had neglected the sector. He said that a fixed three per cent sports quota had been provided for employment to outstanding sportspersons, under which 99 players had been given government jobs since 2024.
The Chief Minister said that to strengthen youth engagement at the grassroots level, youth volunteers had been appointed in 68 block-level nodal youth clubs, with one volunteer also posted at each district headquarters. An amount of over Rs.3.2 crore was spent on youth and sports activities in 2024, while Rs.4 crore is being spent during the current financial year. He added that special emphasis was being laid on the construction and maintenance of playgrounds and modern sports infrastructure across the State.
He said that an Indoor Multipurpose Sports Complex was being constructed at Nadaun over an area of about 9,735 square metres at an estimated cost of Rs.112.49 crore. The complex will include a shooting range, swimming pool, gymnasium, multipurpose hall for wrestling, boxing and kabaddi, yoga hall, table tennis facilities, four badminton courts, volleyball and tennis courts, along with essential supporting facilities such as cafeteria, waiting lounge and office spaces.
The Chief Minister said that the present state government has made historic increase in prize money to encourage players and inspire youth to participate in sports activities. Highlighting incentives for excellence, the Chief Minister said that prize money for medal winners had been substantially enhanced. Gold medalists at the Olympics, Winter Olympics and Paralympics will now receive Rs. 5 crore, silver medalists Rs. 3 crore Rs. 2 crore and bronze medalists, instead of rupees three crore, rupees two crore and rupees one crore respectively, as was given earlier. For the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, prize money has been increased from 50 lakh to Rs. 4 crore for gold, from Rs. 30 lakh Rs.2.50 crore for silver from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs.1.50 crore for bronze medalists.
Similarly, for medal winners of Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games gold medalists will receive Rs. 3 crore instead of Rs. 50 lakh earlier, silver medalists will now get Rs. 2 crore instead of Rs. 30 lakh earlier and bronze medalists will now get rupees one crore instead of Rs. 20 lakh, as was the provision earlier. He said that diet money for players had also been significantly increased. Athletes participating in competitions outside the State will now receive Rs.500 per day instead of Rs.400. Under-17 and Under-19 players will receive Rs.400 and Rs.500 per day respectively, compared to Rs.150 and Rs.250 earlier. For Under-14 players, the allowance has been enhanced to Rs.250 and Rs.400. Sportspersons residing in sports hostels will now receive Rs.400 per day instead of Rs.150.
The Chief Minister lauded the outstanding contribution of daughters of Himachal Pradesh in sports arena, stating that girls from the State were 'breaking barriers' and bringing laurels at national and international level. He praised Renuka Thakur, who became the first Indian woman bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the Women’s T20 World Cup, the achievements reflect determination and excellence.
He also highlighted India’s victory in the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 held in Dhaka winning Gold medal, noting the key role played by Himachal players including captain Ritu Negi, vice-captain Pushpa Rana, Sakshi Sharma, Bhawna and Champa was exemplary.The Chief Minister further lauded individual achievements, including Seema from Chamba district, to win gold in the 25,000-metre race at the National Athletics Championship and Jyotika Datta from Rohru, who won a silver medal in fencing in same championship.With robust infrastructure, enhanced incentives, and unwavering support, Himachal is nurturing a new generation of champions. The State’s youth were being empowered to excel, breaking barriers and bringing glory on national and international platform with sports in Himachal, truly moving from grassroots to global, said Sukhu.