Nadaun Indoor Stadium Nearing Completion; International Medal Winners to Receive Record Cash Incentives
Hamirpur, June 22: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed the state government's commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a leading sports destination by providing world-class infrastructure, enhanced incentives, and better facilities for athletes across the state.
Addressing young trainees, aspiring sportspersons, and children during his visit to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre of Excellence at Anu, the Chief Minister said that nurturing sporting talent remains a key priority of the government. He highlighted that a state-of-the-art indoor stadium is being constructed in Nadaun with an investment of nearly ₹125 crore and is expected to be dedicated to athletes later this year.
The upcoming sports complex will feature international-standard facilities for 14 disciplines, including swimming, badminton, volleyball, and tennis, creating new opportunities for athletes from Himachal Pradesh to train and compete at the highest level.
The Chief Minister was interacting with the young athletes after participating in the state-level celebrations of the International Day of Yoga. He said that the government has introduced one of the country's most attractive sports reward policies to motivate athletes to excel on the global stage.
Under the revised incentive structure, athletes winning a gold medal at the Asian Games will receive ₹3 crore, silver medalists ₹2 crore, and bronze medalists up to ₹1.5 crore. Similar provisions have been made for outstanding performances in the Olympic Games and other major international sporting events.
Highlighting additional welfare measures, the Chief Minister said the government substantially increased the diet allowance for sportspersons soon after taking office. Athletes are also being provided improved travel facilities, including air travel and AC-class train journeys for competitions and training camps.
He further announced that adequate funds are being earmarked for the repair and modernization of the synthetic athletics track at Anu, ensuring better training conditions for local athletes.
The interaction session concluded on an enthusiastic note, with young sportspersons sharing their experiences and aspirations with the Chief Minister. The athletes expressed excitement over the government's initiatives and welcomed the focus being placed on sports development in the state.