SHIMLA: The state government is giving special emphasis on promoting sports activities on a large scale with the aim of channelising the energy of youth into constructive pursuits. This initiative is not only strengthening the sports culture in the state but is also playing a vital role in steering young people away from drugs.
Along with offering attractive incentives to talented players who bring laurels to the state and the nation, the government has been developing sports infrastructure of international standards. The objective is to encourage the youth to participate in international, national and inter-state competitions.
The government has significantly enhanced the prize money for medal winners in various international events. The cash award for Olympic, Winter Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists has been raised from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore, for silver medallists from ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore, and for bronze medallists from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore.
In the Asian and Para Asian Games, the prize for gold winners has been increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹4 crore, silver medallists from ₹30 lakh to ₹2.5 crore, and bronze medallists from ₹20 lakh to ₹1.5 crore. Similarly, Commonwealth and Para Commonwealth gold medallists will now receive ₹3 crore instead of ₹50 lakh, silver medallists ₹2 crore instead of ₹30 lakh, and bronze medallists ₹1 crore instead of ₹20 lakh.
Last year, the state government disbursed a total of ₹17.44 crore in cash awards to international athletes who won medals or participated in the Paralympic, Asian, Commonwealth Games and World Cups.
To ensure that athletes receive adequate and balanced nutrition, their dietary allowance has also been increased. Various sports competitions are being organised in schools to give students a platform to showcase their sporting talents. Players representing the state in outstation competitions are now entitled to AC three-tier train fare for distances up to 200 km and economy-class airfare for longer distances.
During 2023–24 and 2024–25, approximately ₹38 crore was allocated for the construction and maintenance of sports grounds and modern sports infrastructure, benefiting a total of 74 sports projects.
A sports hostel has been built at Dattanagar in Rampur Bushahr, Shimla district, at a cost of ₹9.45 crore, accommodating 50 athletes. Additionally, an AstroTurf hockey field has been developed at Majra in Sirmaur district at a cost of ₹7.28 crore.
To encourage participation, players representing the state or the nation in sports events are now granted special leave during the competition period — a step aimed at promoting the holistic development of students.