Himachal CM Awards Rs 1 Crore to Kabaddi Gold Medalists
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announces Rs 1 crore each and government jobs for Himachali women's kabaddi stars Pushpa, Jyoti, and Bhawna.
In a massive boost to sporting excellence, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a staggering reward of at least Rs 1 crore each for the state's kabaddi stars. The announcement comes in recognition of the historic gold medal victory achieved by the Indian women’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games.
The three proud Himachali athletes—Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur—met with the Chief Minister in Shimla on Monday to celebrate their monumental achievement. During the meeting, Sukhu honored the champions with traditional Himachali caps and shawls, marking a moment of immense pride for the state.
Guaranteed Government Jobs for Champions
Beyond the significant cash prize, the state government is ensuring long-term security for these athletes. Chief Minister Sukhu confirmed that all three players will be provided with employment in government service.
Recognizing the need to balance professional stability with athletic training, the Chief Minister offered specific career paths:
- Athletes may choose to join the Police Department.
- Alternatively, those wishing to focus more on their sporting careers can opt for appointments in the Youth Services and Sports Department.
This flexibility is intended to allow the champions to continue their pursuit of excellence while actively contributing to the growth of sports infrastructure and talent within Himachal Pradesh.
A Historic Shift in Sports Policy
The Chief Minister highlighted that this massive payout is part of a broader, systemic change in how the state supports its athletes. He noted that the government has implemented a historic enhancement in prize money by revising the state's sports policy. This move is accompanied by a renewed focus on strengthening sports infrastructure across the entire state to nurture future talent.
A formal felicitation ceremony will be organized soon, where the announced prize money will be officially presented to the winners.
Recognition for Cricket Star Renuka Thakur
The celebration of sporting talent did not stop with kabaddi. In a further show of support for elite athletes, Chief Minister Sukhu announced that Indian women’s cricket star Renuka Thakur will also be awarded Rs 1 crore by the state government to honor her outstanding contributions to the sport.
The meeting was attended by prominent state officials, including Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil and Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan.