Him Ratna Awards: CM Sukhu Rewards Sporting Excellence with Rs 17.85 Crore Bonanza
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu distributes Rs 17.85 crore to 419 sportspersons and announces massive hikes in award money for Olympic and Asian Games winners.
In a grand celebration of athletic prowess and perseverance, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hosted a state-level function in Shimla on October 31 to honor the state's sporting heroes. Through the Him Ratna Awards 2026, the state government distributed a staggering total of Rs 17.85 crore to 419 outstanding sportspersons who have brought glory to the region on both national and international stages.
Massive Payouts for International and National Stars
The distribution of funds highlighted the state's commitment to rewarding high-level achievement. Out of the 419 awardees, 51 athletes were recognized for their international triumphs, receiving a combined sum of Rs 13.55 crore. Meanwhile, 368 athletes were honored for their national-level performances with cheques totaling Rs 4.30 crore.
Some of the biggest individual winners included:
- Sawan Barwal: Received Rs 2.50 crore for securing a silver medal in the men's marathon at the Asian Games-2026 in Japan.
- Seema Kumari: Awarded Rs 1.50 crore for her bronze medal in the 10,000-metre race.
- Renuka Thakur: The state cricketer was presented with a cheque of Rs 1 crore.
- Women's Kabaddi Gold Medalists: Ritu Negi, Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur, who were part of the gold-winning Indian team, each received Rs 1 crore.
A New Era of Incentives: Huge Hikes in Prize Money
Chief Minister Sukhu announced a significant overhaul of the state's reward structure to further motivate athletes. The government has drastically increased the award money for major global events:
Olympic, Winter Olympics, and Paralympic Games
- Gold: Increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.
- Silver: Increased from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore.
- Bronze: Increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.
Asian Games and Para Asian Games
- Gold: Jumped from Rs 50 lakh to a massive Rs 4 crore.
- Silver: Increased from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 2.50 crore.
- Bronze: Increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1.50 crore.
Furthermore, the State Cabinet has approved a provision ensuring that every player winning a medal in a team event will receive at least 25 percent of the total award money. Recognizing the backbone of athletic success, the CM also announced an incentive of Rs 3 lakh each for international referees and national-level coaches.
Securing the Future: Jobs and Health
Beyond monetary rewards, the Himachal Pradesh government is focusing on long-term stability for its athletes. The Chief Minister revealed that government posts have been created within the Youth, Service, and Sports Department to provide employment opportunities for sportspersons, ensuring their professional future is secure.
The 'Khelo Himachal Campaign'
In a bid to steer the youth away from drug abuse, specifically the use of 'chitta', the state will launch the 'Khelo Himachal Campaign' in Dharamshala starting November 20. This initiative aims to promote health and discipline through sports for young people aged 15 to 30.
The campaign will feature competitions in cricket, volleyball, and kabaddi across sub-divisional, district, and state levels. The stakes are high for the participants:
- State Level: The winning team will bag Rs 21 lakh, with the second and third places receiving Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively.
- District Level: First, second, and third-placed teams will receive Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh, respectively.
To mark the announcement, the Chief Minister officially launched the campaign's mascot and its official website, reaffirming the government's dedication to improving sports infrastructure across the state.