CM Sukhu Felicitates Winners of Virbhadra Singh Memorial Pro-Boxing Championship.
Reiterates Government’s Commitment to Anti-Drug Campaign and Youth Empowerment.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today felicitated the winners of the Virbhadra Singh Memorial Pro-Boxing International Championship, held at the historic Ridge in Shimla. The event was organized in memory of the former Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh and aimed at promoting sports while spreading awareness against drug abuse among youth.
Indian boxer Yashpal emerged as the champion of the international boxing event, showcasing stellar performance and bringing pride to the country. The championship featured ten professional boxers—five each from India and Russia—competing in a high-adrenaline contest that captivated the audience and underscored the global appeal of professional boxing.
In his address, Chief Minister Sukhu congratulated the winners and lauded the efforts of the organizers, noting that the championship served as a fitting tribute to the towering legacy of Virbhadra Singh, a stalwart who played a pivotal role in the development of Himachal Pradesh.
Highlighting the dual objective of the event—sports promotion and drug awareness—the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying the campaign against drug abuse. “Our anti-drug campaign is gaining strong support from the youth, and we will further strengthen it. Strict action will be taken against drug mafias who are destroying the lives of our young generation,” he said.
Sukhu added that the state government is taking various proactive measures to keep youth away from drugs, including substantial promotion of sports infrastructure and incentives for athletes. He announced a significant increase in prize money for Himachali athletes winning medals at international competitions. Moreover, the government has made special leave provisions for sportspersons participating at state, national, and international levels—rectifying the earlier policy where such leaves were counted as absences.
Speaking on the occasion, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, son of the six times former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, expressed gratitude to the organizers and said the championship not only honored his father’s memory but also carried forward his vision of a healthy and progressive Himachal. He emphasized that sports and youth engagement are crucial tools in combating drug addiction.
The event was inaugurated by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and witnessed a large turnout of spectators and dignitaries, who praised the initiative for combining sports excellence with a powerful social message.
Among the prominent attendees were MLAs Harish Janartha and Sanjay Awasthi, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, HIMUDA Vice Chairman Yashwant Chhajta, and other local leaders.
The success of the championship and the Chief Minister’s reaffirmed focus on youth welfare signal a dynamic shift towards harnessing sports as a means of social change in Himachal Pradesh.
