Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that sports have been given top priority in Himachal Pradesh, with the government focusing on strengthening infrastructure and providing enhanced incentives for athletes. The State is making significant investments in modern sports facilities while offering higher prize money, increased diet allowances, and assured employment opportunities, encouraging youth to pursue sports professionally.
Sukhu highlighted that these initiatives are channelizing the energy of young people positively, promoting fitness, and steering them away from social evils. Better incentives and career security are motivating talented players to adopt sports as a full-time profession. Unlike previous regimes, the present government is actively promoting sports and providing a fixed three per cent quota for employment to outstanding sportspersons. Since 2024, 99 athletes have already benefited from this quota.
To engage youth at the grassroots level, 68 block-level nodal youth clubs have been established, with volunteers posted at each district headquarters. The State has spent over Rs. 3.2 crore on youth and sports activities in 2024, with Rs. 4 crore allocated for the current year. Special attention is being given to the construction and maintenance of playgrounds and modern sports infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.
An Indoor Multipurpose Sports Complex is under construction at Nadaun, covering 9,735 square metres at an estimated cost of Rs. 112.49 crore. The facility 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 cafeteria, waiting lounge, and office spaces.
CM Sukhu announced a historic increase in prize money to encourage players. Medalists at the Olympics, Winter Olympics, and Paralympics will now receive Rs. 5 crore (gold), Rs. 3 crore (silver), and Rs. 2 crore (bronze). For Asian Games and Para Asian Games, gold medalists will receive Rs. 4 crore, silver Rs. 2.5 crore, and bronze Rs. 1.5 crore. Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games medalists will also see a significant increase in rewards.
Diet allowances for athletes have been raised, with players competing outside the State receiving Rs. 500 per day. Under-17 and under-19 players now receive Rs. 400 and Rs. 500 per day, respectively, while under-14 athletes get Rs. 250–400 per day. Residents of sports hostels now receive Rs. 400 per day.
The Chief Minister lauded Himachal’s female athletes, highlighting their achievements on national and international platforms. He mentioned Renuka Thakur, the first Indian woman bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the Women’s T20 World Cup, and Himachal players’ contribution to India’s gold-winning Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 team, including captain Ritu Negi, vice-captain Pushpa Rana, Sakshi Sharma, Bhawna, and Champa. He also praised individual accomplishments, such as Seema from Chamba winning gold in the 25,000-metre race at the National Athletics Championship and Jyotika Datta from Rohru winning silver in fencing.
With robust infrastructure, enhanced incentives, and consistent support, Himachal is nurturing a new generation of champions. The Chief Minister concluded that the State’s youth are being empowered to excel, bringing glory on national and international platforms — truly moving from grassroots to global in sports.
