Himachal Government Approves ‘Khelo Himachal – Chitta Mukt Abhiyan 2026’ to Promote Sports and Combat Drug Abuse.
Shimla:
In a major initiative to engage young people in constructive activities and strengthen the campaign against drug abuse, particularly chitta, the Himachal Pradesh government has approved the ambitious ‘Khelo Himachal – Chitta Mukt Abhiyan, 2026’. The initiative aims to promote sports, encourage healthy lifestyles and build a disciplined, empowered and drug-free society across the state.
The scheme will be implemented from December 2026 to March 2027 through the existing administrative machinery, district administrations, recognised sports associations and other stakeholders. It will cover all 12 districts and 83 sub-divisions of Himachal Pradesh, with young people in the age group of 15 to 30 years forming its primary target group.
The initiative aims to establish a structured and inclusive sporting ecosystem by providing young athletes with opportunities to participate in organised competitions, demonstrate their abilities and develop competitive excellence. It will also encourage youth to become ambassadors of the Chitta Mukt Abhiyan and spread awareness against substance abuse.
Initially, competitions will be organised in eight sporting disciplines, including cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, athletics, hockey, wrestling and tug of war. The competition structure will follow a three-tier system, beginning at the sub-division level, progressing to the district level and culminating in state-level competitions.
The initiative will provide opportunities to grassroots-level players, particularly those from rural, remote and tribal areas, to showcase their talent. Separate competitions will be organised for men and women to ensure equal participation. Special provisions will also be made for the safety and welfare of participants below 18 years of age, including parental consent and other safeguarding requirements.
An important component of the scheme will be the identification and nurturing of promising sporting talent. Players demonstrating exceptional potential will be considered for specialised coaching, training camps, sports science support and competitive exposure. The initiative will also encourage participation in traditional, indigenous and modern sporting disciplines.
Alongside sporting competitions, awareness activities, interactive sessions and Chitta Mukt messages will be integrated into events to educate participants and communities about the harmful consequences of drug abuse. Information about counselling and rehabilitation services will also be shared, with special emphasis on the mental health and overall wellbeing of young people.
For effective implementation, an Apex Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will provide overall policy direction. State-level, district-level and sub-division-level committees will coordinate implementation, while a Games Technical Conduct Committee will supervise competitions and ensure adherence to sporting rules and standards.
The scheme will also include provisions for medical and first-aid facilities, grievance redressal, safeguarding of minor participants, fair play and anti-doping awareness.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government was committed to providing young people with positive opportunities to realise their potential and contribute towards building a progressive and prosperous society. He said sports were not merely a means of physical fitness but also an effective instrument for developing discipline, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork and a spirit of healthy competition.
He emphasised that the fight against drug abuse could not be won through enforcement measures alone and required the active participation of families, educational institutions, sports organisations and communities.
The Chief Minister appealed to youth, parents, teachers, sports associations and community organisations to participate actively in the campaign and make it a people’s movement. He expressed confidence that the initiative would become a significant step towards building a drug-free Himachal Pradesh and securing a brighter future for coming generations.
