Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a significant reward for three of the state's kabaddi players who were part of India's gold-medal-winning women's team at the Asian Games 2026. Each player will receive a cash prize of ₹1 crore, alongside guaranteed government job opportunities.
The beneficiaries of this generous announcement are Indian women's kabaddi team captain Pushpa Rana, along with teammates Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur. Chief Minister Sukhu made the announcement during a felicitation ceremony held in Shimla on Monday, where he honored the athletes with traditional Himachali caps and shawls, congratulating them on their stellar performance.
Boosting Sports Infrastructure and Opportunities
During the event, CM Sukhu emphasized the state government's commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh. He stated that efforts are underway to create better facilities and more opportunities for athletes throughout the state. This initiative aims to inspire young talent to pursue professional sports careers and achieve success at both national and international levels.
The Chief Minister also confirmed that the three sportspersons would be offered government positions. They will have the option to join either the police department or the Youth Services and Sports Department. This arrangement is designed to allow the athletes to continue their sporting careers while contributing to the promotion and development of sports within Himachal Pradesh.
Revised Sports Policy and Future Felicitation
Pushpa Rana, reportedly on behalf of her teammates, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for addressing the players' concerns, particularly their request for suitable government appointments after bringing glory to the state. CM Sukhu assured that a formal felicitation ceremony would be organized soon to officially present the prize money to the players.
This announcement reflects a notable increase in rewards for sportspersons under the state's revised sports policy. Previously, the Himachal Pradesh government had decided to award ₹33.33 lakh each to four state players from the 12-member Indian women's kabaddi squad. The new policy significantly raises the reward for gold medalists like Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur to at least ₹1 crore each, underscoring the state's dedication to recognizing and supporting its top athletes.