Following their gold medal triumph at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, members of the Indian women's kabaddi team from Himachal Pradesh met with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla. Led by team captain Pushpa Rana, the athletes expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's earlier announcement of a 33 lakh rupee cash prize per player. The contingent requested parity with other gold medalists by demanding an enhancement of the reward to 1 crore rupees each. Chief Minister Sukhu accepted the delegation's request and assured them that the enhanced cash award would be disbursed soon.
Cash Incentive Raised to 1 Crore Rupee Mark
Speaking after the meeting, Indian captain Pushpa Rana explained that the athletes felt the initial 33 lakh rupee package did not match the rewards granted to other gold medalists. The players placed their case before the Chief Minister, pointing out that winning top honors for the country at the Asian Games merits uniform recognition across sports disciplines. According to Rana, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recognized their grievance and agreed to grant 1 crore rupees to each winning kabaddi athlete from the state. A dedicated public felicitation ceremony will be organized shortly to present the awards.
Assurance of Government Employment Based on Qualifications
Beyond the direct cash incentive, the discussion in Shimla addressed long-term career security and employment opportunities for the medal winners. Pushpa Rana stated that the Chief Minister assured the athletes of government positions aligned with their educational qualifications and sporting achievements. This employment commitment provides substantial career stability for the sportspersons who brought international recognition to the country and will allow them to prepare for upcoming competitions without livelihood concerns.
Historic Victory Over Iran in Japan
The gold medal came after a fiercely contested final match between India and Iran at the Asian Games 2026. The Indian women's squad held their nerve in high-pressure moments to register a 37-34 victory, clinching their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in women's kabaddi. Himachal Pradesh players formed the core of this victorious unit. Hailing from the Shillai region of Sirmaur district, captain Pushpa Rana anchored the team on the mat, supported closely by Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur. In total, four players from the state—Pushpa Rana, Bhawna Thakur, Jyoti Thakur, and Ritu Negi—had earned selection for the Indian team. For veteran campaigner Ritu Negi, the competition in Japan marked her third consecutive appearance at the Asian Games.
Domestic Record and State Reward Allocations
The success at the international level follows a sustained period of domestic dominance by kabaddi players from the hill state. The Himachal Pradesh women's kabaddi team had previously secured its third consecutive gold medal at the National Games in 2025. Following the Asian Games campaign, the state administration had earmarked an aggregate cash prize pool of approximately 5.33 crore rupees for all medal-winning athletes from Himachal Pradesh, which originally set aside 33 lakh rupees for each kabaddi victor. With the Chief Minister's fresh assurance, that allocation will be upgraded to 1 crore rupees per player.
Captain Calls for Focus and Youth Engagement
Following her discussions with the state leadership, Pushpa Rana delivered a message directed at young women and youth across the region. She urged young girls to define clear ambitions and pursue them through relentless discipline and hard work, noting that sustained dedication consistently creates new pathways to progress. Rana also appealed to the youth to stay away from substance abuse and channel their efforts into productive disciplines. She emphasized that individuals should identify the fields they are genuinely passionate about and commit themselves to excellence, turning their talents into meaningful accomplishments for society.
