SHIMLA: In a bid to foster emerging sporting talents in Himachal Pradesh, Youth Services and Sports Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, has announced that state government will give one crore rupees as cash prize to the Himachali athletes who excelled at the recently concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Six athletes from Himachal Pradesh clinched medals in the Asian Games, which took place from September 29 to October 8, 2023.
Among these athletes, those who secured gold medals in Kabaddi will receive a handsome reward of Rs. 15 lakh each.
The Kabaddi women's team, comprising Ritu Negi, Pushpa, Kumari Sushma (from Sirmaur district), Kumari Nidhi Sharma (from Bilaspur), and Kumari Jyoti (from Solan), along with the Kabaddi men's team member, Vishal Bhardwaj (from Una district), will benefit from this gesture.
Furthermore, seven other players who participated in various games during the Asian Games will also be acknowledged.
These athletes, representing Himachal Pradesh in handball, will each receive an incentive amount of one lakh rupees.
Vikramaditya Singh also highlighted the state's commitment to recognizing excellence in sports by mentioning that the Youth Services and Sports Department will reward three athletes—Renuka Thakur, Vikas Thakur, and Ashish Kumar—with a combined award of Rs. 63 lakh.
These athletes secured medals in the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
This initiative aims to not only motivate athletes but also provide them with the much-needed support to continue their pursuit of sporting excellence.
