Himachal CM Sukhu pledges Rs 1 crore each to Asian Games kabaddi gold winners

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, 5 October, announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore each for the three state players who were part of India’s gold-winning women’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games in Japan. The decision came after India captain Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur met him in Shimla, having been left disappointed by an earlier offer of Rs 33 lakh each.

The three players will also be given government jobs, according to an official release from the state government. Sukhu congratulated them on their achievement and honoured them with Himachali caps and shawls during the meeting.

A Rs 33 lakh offer prompted the meeting

The players were open about why they sought out the chief minister. An award of Rs 33 lakh had initially been announced, and the trio felt it fell short of what the state’s sports policy entitled them to.

“Look, we were very disappointed because according to the sports policy, we were not being given the amount that was due to us. So literally, anyone would be disappointed,” Pushpa Rana, who is from Himachal Pradesh, told IANS.

The captain said the meeting had changed her outlook. “Now, after meeting him, we received a very positive response from the Chief Minister. Considering how politely he handled us and listened to us attentively, I am hopeful that the Rs 1 crore announced or promised to us will definitely be given,” she said.

Jyoti Thakur said the discussion centred on two issues. “Our main points of discussion were regarding the cash awards and jobs,” she said. “Initially, an award of Rs 33 lakh was announced, which was seen on social media. This had left us disappointed. So, we met the Chief Minister to present our side. He assured us that an incentive reward of Rs 1 crore will be presented to us at an official function.”

Government jobs with room to keep playing

Alongside the cash, the state has promised employment in government service. The release quoted the chief minister as saying that players who do not wish to join the Police Department would be offered appointments in the Youth Services and Sports Department, “enabling them to continue pursuing their sporting careers while contributing to the promotion and development of sports in the state”.

Sukhu said the state government had increased prize money for gold-winning international athletes by revising its sports policy, with special emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure across Himachal.

The chief minister also announced Rs 1 crore for fast bowler Renuka Thakur, a member of the women’s cricket team that won gold at the Games after beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.

An unbeaten title defence in Aichi-Nagoya

Led by Pushpa, the Indian women’s team defended their Asian Games gold with an unbeaten run at Aichi-Nagoya, beating Iran 37-34 in a tense final to win the title for a fourth time. India’s men’s kabaddi team also won gold at the Games.

Himachal Pradesh Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, who was also at the meeting, praised the players. “Today, three of our girls from Himachal Pradesh who represented Team India, including Pushpa Rana from Sirmaur, who served as captain of the Indian team, along with Bhawna Thakur and Jyoti Thakur, met the Chief Minister and me,” he said. Chauhan also named Ritu Negi from the Shillai constituency as a Himachal player in the Indian squad. Reports differ on how many Himachal players were in the team, but the Rs 1 crore award announced on Monday was specified for Pushpa, Jyoti and Bhawna.

What happens next

According to the official statement, the state government will soon organise a felicitation ceremony in the players’ honour, where the Rs 1 crore awards will be presented. No date for the function has been announced.