Hamirpur’s Young Skater Samarth Atri Calls on CM Sukhu Ahead of Asian Ice Skating Championship.
Shimla:
In a proud moment for Himachal Pradesh, promising young ice skater Samarth Atri from Bhoranj tehsil in Hamirpur district met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday evening to seek his blessings before representing India at the Asian Short Track Ice Skating Trophy 2026.
Samarth has earned a place in the Indian contingent for the prestigious international championship, which will be held in Dehradun from August 17 to 20, 2026. His selection is being hailed as a remarkable achievement for the state and a testament to his years of dedication, perseverance and consistent performances in the sport.
Congratulating the young athlete on his selection, the Chief Minister wished him success in the upcoming championship and expressed confidence that he would make the nation proud with an outstanding performance. He said the state government is committed to promoting sports by creating world-class infrastructure and providing talented athletes with better opportunities to train and compete at the highest levels.
“The government is making continuous efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh so that young sportspersons receive quality training facilities and are able to excel at national and international competitions,” the Chief Minister said.
Praising Samarth’s dedication and hard work, the Chief Minister said that earning a place in the Indian team at such a young age reflects his determination and sporting excellence. He added that Samarth’s achievement has brought pride to Himachal Pradesh and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the state. He also expressed hope that the young skater would deliver an impressive performance at the Asian championship and bring laurels to both India and Himachal Pradesh.
A Class X student of the prestigious Auckland House School, Shimla, Samarth has been undergoing rigorous training at the iconic Shimla Ice Skating Rink for the past six to seven years. His disciplined approach, commitment to the sport and steady progress have established him as one of Himachal Pradesh’s most promising young winter sports athletes.
Samarth’s journey to the international stage has been marked by consistent success. He recently participated in the 21st National Short Track Ice Skating Championship, where his impressive performance earned him a place in the National Training Camp. During the camp, he continued to excel and, based on his outstanding performance, secured selection to represent India at the Asian Short Track Ice Skating Trophy 2026.
The championship will bring together some of Asia’s finest short track speed skaters, offering Samarth an opportunity to compete against the continent’s best and showcase his talent on the international stage.
His selection has been widely welcomed by the winter sports fraternity in Himachal Pradesh, with coaches, sports enthusiasts and well-wishers expressing confidence that the young skater will uphold the country’s honour and inspire many more youngsters to pursue excellence in winter sports. The achievement also highlights the growing prominence of Himachal Pradesh in ice skating and reinforces the state’s reputation as a nursery for talented winter sports athletes.
