CM Announces Rs. 5.33 Crore Cash Awards for Himachal’s Asian Games Medal Winners.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced cash awards amounting to approximately Rs. 5.33 crore for medal winners from Himachal Pradesh who brought laurels to the State at the Asian Games-2026 held at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The awards have been announced in recognition of the athletes’ outstanding performances, hard work and dedication at the international sporting event.
As per the Himachal Pradesh Sports Council Cash Award Rules, 2024, four players from Himachal Pradesh who were part of the 12-member Indian women’s Kabaddi team that won the Gold Medal will receive Rs. 33.33 lakh each. The players are Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur. The total award for the Himachali players in the Kabaddi team will be approximately Rs. 1.33 crore, with the prize money distributed in proportion to their participation as prescribed under the rules.
Sawan Barwal of Mandi will receive Rs. 2.50 crore for winning the Silver Medal in the Men’s Marathon, while Seema Kumari of Chamba will be awarded Rs. 1.50 crore for securing the Bronze Medal in the Women’s 10,000-metre event.
Congratulating the medal winners, their families, coaches and support staff, the Chief Minister said their achievements were a matter of great pride for Himachal Pradesh. He said their dedication, discipline and determination had brought honour to the State and would inspire more young people to take up sports and strive for excellence at national and international levels.
Sukhu said the State Government had significantly increased prize money to encourage and motivate sportspersons. Under the revised provisions, Gold medalists at the Olympic, Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are awarded Rs. 5 crore, Silver medalists Rs. 3 crore and Bronze medalists Rs. 2 crore.
At the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, Gold medalists are awarded Rs. 4 crore, Silver medalists Rs. 2.50 crore and Bronze medalists Rs. 1.50 crore. Similarly, at the Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games, Gold medalists receive Rs. 3 crore, Silver medalists Rs. 2 crore and Bronze medalists Rs. 1 crore.
The Chief Minister said that in 2024, sportspersons who participated in or won medals at international competitions were awarded a total of Rs. 17.44 crore in prize money. Under the three per cent sports quota, 99 sportspersons have so far been provided employment.
He added that students participating in State- and national-level competitions were also being granted special leave to enable them to balance their academic studies with sporting activities.
Sukhu said the diet allowance for sportspersons had also been enhanced. Athletes participating in competitions outside the State are being provided Rs. 500 per day, while the allowance is Rs. 400 at the State level, Rs. 300 at the district level and Rs. 240 at the block level. Sportspersons at the elementary education level residing in sports hostels are also being provided a diet allowance of Rs. 250 per day.
He further said that travel provisions for athletes participating in sports events outside the State had been enhanced. Athletes travelling up to 200 kilometres would be provided AC 3-Tier train fare, while those travelling more than 200 kilometres would be eligible for economy class airfare.
The Chief Minister extended his best wishes to all the medal winners and expressed hope that their achievements would inspire the youth of Himachal Pradesh to pursue sports and strive for excellence. He also wished the athletes continued success in future sporting events and hoped they would bring greater glory to Himachal Pradesh and the country.If you want, I can also make this more newspaper-style, concise, and suitable for publication in a Himachal Pradesh daily.
