Shimla, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Himachal Pradesh government has increased the cash reward for three state players who were part of India’s gold medal-winning women’s Kabaddi team at the recently concluded Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, announcing Rs 1 crore each along with government jobs.
Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and were honoured with Himachali caps and shawls. The Chief Minister also assured them of government employment.
According to a state government release, players who do not wish to join the Police Department will be offered appointments in the Youth Services and Sports Department. The arrangement is intended to allow them to continue their sporting careers while contributing to the promotion and development of sports in the state.
India’s women’s and men’s Kabaddi teams won gold medals at the Asian Games.
The revised reward followed disappointment among the Himachali players after an initial announcement of Rs 33 lakh each for their gold medal-winning performance.
“We were very disappointed because according to the sports policy, we were not being given the amount that was due to us,” India captain Pushpa Rana told IANS. She said the meeting with the Chief Minister had been positive and expressed confidence that the promised Rs 1 crore reward would be released.
Jyoti Thakur said the players had met Sukhu to discuss both the cash incentive and employment. She said the Chief Minister assured them that the Rs 1 crore award would be presented at an official function.
Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also praised the state’s players, highlighting Pushpa Rana from Sirmaur, who captained the Indian team, along with Bhawna Thakur and Jyoti Thakur.
He also mentioned Ritu Negi from the Shillai constituency, describing the representation of Himachal players in the Indian team and its gold medal-winning campaign as a matter of pride for the state.
Meanwhile, India fast bowler Renuka Thakur will also receive Rs 1 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government in recognition of her achievements.
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