Shimla, Oct 5 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore each for three kabaddi players from the state who were part of the gold-winning women’s team at the just-concluded Asian Games in Japan – Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur.
The chief minister also announced Rs 1 crore for Renuka Thakur, a member of the women’s cricket team that won the gold at the Asian Games, beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.
The kabaddi trio called on Sukhu on Monday, who congratulated them on their outstanding achievement and honoured them with Himachali caps and shawls.
Led by Pushpa, the women’s kabaddi team defended their gold medal with an unbeaten run at Aichi-Nagoya, defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final to lift the crown for a fourth time.
According to an official statement, Sukhu said the state government would soon organise a felicitation ceremony in the players’ honour, where they would be presented with Rs 1 crore each.
The three players would also be employed in government service, Sukhu said, adding that those who do not wish to join the police force would be offered appointments in the sports department, enabling them to continue pursuing their sporting careers while contributing to the promotion and development of sports in the state.
The state government has increased the prize money for gold-winning international athletes by revising its sports policy, with special emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure across Himachal, Sukhu said. PTI BPL ARI
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