Fight Against Drugs: CM Sukhu Announces Khelo Himachal Campaign, Targets Chitta-Free State by 2027
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu announces Khelo Himachal Campaign to fight drug abuse and awards Rs 17.85 crore to athletes.
In a massive push to integrate sports with social welfare, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the launch of the Khelo Himachal Campaign. Set to kick off from Dharamshala on November 20, the initiative aims to engage the youth in athletics while waging a war against drug abuse, with a clear mission to make the state "chitta-free" by 2027.
Rewarding Excellence: Rs 17.85 Crore Distributed to Athletes
The announcement came during a state-level Him Ratna-2026 awards ceremony, where the Chief Minister honored 419 sportspersons for their exceptional achievements on national and international stages. A total of Rs 17.85 crore in cash awards was distributed to recognize the grit and determination of the state's athletes.
The breakdown of the awards included:
- International Level: 51 athletes shared Rs 13.55 crore.
- National Level: 368 athletes shared Rs 4.30 crore.
Top Honors and Big Wins
Several athletes received substantial rewards for their podium finishes. Sawan Barwal was awarded Rs 2.50 crore for securing a silver medal in the men's marathon at the Asian Games-2026 in Japan, while Seema Kumari received Rs 1.50 crore for her bronze in the 10,000-metre race. In a proud moment for Indian Kabaddi, four players from Himachal Pradesh—Ritu Negi, Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur—each received Rs one crore for being part of the gold medal-winning women's team. Additionally, state cricketer Renuka Thakur was honored with Rs one crore.
A New Era of Incentives for Sportspersons
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that the government has significantly hiked cash incentives to encourage young talent and recognize the sacrifices made by athletes and their families. The revised reward structure is as follows:
Olympic 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 and Para Asian Games
- Gold: Jumped from Rs 50 lakh to 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.
To ensure fairness in team sports, the State Cabinet has approved a provision where every player in a winning team will receive at least 25 per cent of the total award money. Furthermore, the government has announced an incentive of Rs three lakh each for international referees and national-level coaches.
The Khelo Himachal Campaign: More Than Just a Game
The upcoming Khelo Himachal Campaign is designed as a strategic tool to steer youth away from the menace of "chitta" (synthetic drugs). Targeting participants between the ages of 15 and 30, the campaign will feature cricket, volleyball, and kabaddi competitions across sub-divisional, district, and state levels.
Prize Money for the Campaign
To motivate participants, the government has announced lucrative prizes:
- State Level: Winner (Rs 21 lakh), Runner-up (Rs 15 lakh), Third place (Rs 10 lakh).
- District Level: Winner (Rs 2 lakh), Runner-up (Rs 1.5 lakh), Third place (Rs 1 lakh).
Alongside the launch of the campaign's official website and mascot, the Chief Minister reiterated the state's commitment to achieving a drug-free Himachal by 2027.
Career Opportunities and Infrastructure
Moving beyond cash rewards, the state is focusing on sustainable careers for athletes. The government is creating employment opportunities within the Youth, Services and Sports Department, including the creation of the new post of Assistant District Sports Officer. Special efforts are also being made to recruit international and national-level female athletes into sports departments.
On the infrastructure front, the Chief Minister highlighted the development of a modern indoor stadium at Nadaun in the Hamirpur district to provide world-class training facilities for the state's budding stars.