Game On, Himachal! Investing in Champions, Building a Brighter Future
The state of Himachal Pradesh is on an exciting mission: to harness the incredible energy of its young people and channel it into the power of sports. This isn’t just about winning medals; it’s about building a healthier, more positive future for the youth, offering a powerful alternative to challenges like drug addiction.
By creating a thriving sports culture, the government is ensuring that every young athlete has the chance to shine, from local playgrounds to the international stage.
Rewarding Excellence on the World Stage
To celebrate and motivate its champions, the government has significantly boosted the cash rewards for athletes who bring glory to the state and country. This is a major investment in their dedication:
· Olympic & Paralympic Heroes: Gold medalists will now receive a whopping ₹5 crore (increased from ₹3 crore), silver medalists ₹3 crore, and bronze medalists ₹2 crore.
· Asian Games Champions: The prize for a gold medal has been raised to ₹4 crore.
· Commonwealth Games Stars: Gold medalists will now get ₹3 crore, a massive jump from the previous ₹50 lakh.
This commitment is real—last year alone, the state awarded over ₹17 crore in prize money to its international athletes.
Building a Foundation for Success
Beyond the prize money, the government is focused on building a solid support system for athletes at every level:
· Fueling Champions: Dietary allowances have been increased to ensure athletes get the proper nutrition they need to perform their best.
· Travel in Comfort: Athletes traveling for competitions now get AC train tickets for shorter distances and economy class airfare for longer journeys.
· Starting Young: Schools are buzzing with various sports competitions, giving students an early platform to discover and showcase their talents.
· Supporting Student-Athletes: The government now grants special leave for students to participate in state and national-level competitions, recognizing the importance of balancing sports and studies.
· A Career in Sports: A 3% sports quota in government jobs has already helped 99 outstanding players secure employment since the start of 2024.
Creating World-Class Facilities
A grand total of approximately ₹38 crore has been invested in constructing and upgrading sports infrastructure across 74 different projects. Some standout developments include:
· A new sports hostel in Duttnagar, Rampur Bushahr, built for ₹9.45 crore to accommodate 50 budding athletes.
· A modern hockey astroturf in Majra, Sirmaur, developed at a cost of ₹7.28 crore.
Grassroots Growth for Everyone
The vision extends to the grassroots through the Chief Minister’s Youth Sports Promotion Scheme, which aims to build a sports ground in every assembly constituency. To energize local communities, nodal youth clubs and volunteers have been appointed in every block and district.
This multi-pronged effort—from rewarding champions to building playgrounds—is a game-changer. It’s a comprehensive push to make Himachal Pradesh a leading state in the world of sports, one young athlete at a time.
