In a major boost for sports talent from the hill state, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sanctioned a total cash purse of Rs 5.33 crore for six athletes who secured podium finishes at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The financial rewards recognise both individual endurance runners and team players who contributed to India's gold-winning campaign on the continental stage.
Breakdown of Rewards for Medal Winners
The largest individual share of the declared incentives went to track and field athletes who clinched podium spots in grueling distance events. Sawan Barwal, who claimed the silver medal in the men's marathon race, will receive Rs 2.50 crore from the state government. In the women's 10,000-meter race, bronze medalist Seema Kumari has been awarded a cash incentive of Rs 1.50 crore.
Four women athletes from Himachal Pradesh who featured in India's gold medal-winning kabaddi squad will collectively receive Rs 1.33 crore. This group includes Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur, each of whom will take home Rs 33 lakh. Across both track and field and team competitions, the collective allocation for the six athletes stands at Rs 5.33 crore.
The Framework of the State Sports Policy
Explaining the policy framework behind these allocations, Chief Minister Sukhu noted that the state has instituted historic increases in its incentive slabs to retain and nurture sporting talent. The framework establishes differentiated payout tiers depending on the prestige of the international competition.
Under the premier tier covering the Olympic Games, Winter Olympics, and Paralympics, gold medalists receive Rs 5 crore, silver medalists get Rs 3 crore, and bronze winners take home Rs 2 crore. For the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, the policy stipulates Rs 4 crore for gold, Rs 2.50 crore for silver, and Rs 1.50 crore for bronze.
Athletes shining at the Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games are rewarded with Rs 3 crore for a top-step finish, Rs 2 crore for second place, and Rs 1 crore for a bronze medal finish.
Reforms in Travel Allowances and Flight Eligibility
Beyond cash felicitation, the administration has overhauled transit allowances for sportspersons traveling outside Himachal Pradesh for tournaments. The revised guidelines establish travel entitlements based on distance, easing physical strain and logistical burdens on competitors.
Under the updated norms, athletes traveling up to 200 kilometers are reimbursed for AC 3-tier train travel. For any journey exceeding 200 kilometers, competitors are entitled to economy class air travel tickets paid by the state. Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated that creating a robust support ecosystem remains central to ensuring local talent thrives on national and global stages.
