Himachal Pradesh awards ₹17.85 crore to 419 athletes

On 31 October 2026, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented ₹17.85 crore in prize money to 419 athletes at a state-level ceremony at Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla.

Prize Money and Sports Policy

The recipients comprised 51 athletes with international-level achievements and 368 national-level athletes. The awards included ₹13.55 crore for international performances and ₹4.30 crore for national performances. Mandi district had the largest number of nationally honoured athletes, with 99 recipients.

The state said its revised sports policy raised the award for Asian Games gold to ₹5 crore from ₹50 lakh and provides ₹5 crore for an Olympic gold medal. National-level achievers are eligible for awards for the first time; the stated amounts include ₹5 lakh for a winning team and ₹1.5 lakh for an individual winner in a team event.

Himachal Pradesh provides 3% reservation in government employment under the sports quota. The government has created an Assistant District Sports Officer post and plans to recruit national- and international-level women athletes through walk-in interviews.

Important Facts for Exams

• Asian Games cycle: The Asian Games take place every four years and have been organised by the Olympic Council of Asia since 1982.
• Olympic calendar: The Summer and Winter Olympics each recur every four years, offset by two years since the 1994 Winter Games.
• Employment eligibility: In India, sporting ability can qualify a person for recruitment to positions outside sports, connecting athletic credentials with public employment.