CM Sukhu Hails Kangra's Milli as HP's Korfball Captain
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated Milli from Indora, Kangra, on being named captain of India's women's team for the Under-21 World Korfball Championship in Selangor, Malaysia — a historic first for the state's korfball history.
Key Takeaways
Milli , a korfball player from Indora in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh , has been named captain of the Indian women's team for the Under-21 World Korfball Championship.
The championship is scheduled to be held in Selangor, Malaysia .
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called her the first player from Himachal Pradesh to captain the Indian women's korfball side.
Korfball is a niche, mixed-gender sport in India governed by the Korfball Federation of India and internationally by the International Korfball Federation .
The post highlights growing recognition of non-mainstream sports talent emerging from Kangra district .
A daughter of Indora in Kangra district is about to carry the weight of a nation on her shoulders — and an entire hill state is beaming with pride. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday, 9 August 2026, congratulated Milli, a korfball player from Indora, on being named captain of the Indian women's team for the Under-21 World Korfball Championship to be held in Selangor, Malaysia.
Posting in Hindi, CM Sukhu called it a matter of immense pride for all of Himachal Pradesh, describing Milli as the first player from the state to captain the Indian women's korfball side — a historic first in the state's korfball story. 'मिली हिमाचल के कोर्फबॉल इतिहास में भारतीय महिला टीम की कप्तानी करने वाली पहली खिलाड़ी बनी हैं' ('Milli has become the first player in Himachal's korfball history to captain the Indian women's team'), he wrote, extending his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.
Milli's Captaincy and What It Means for Himachal
Kangra district — a northern Himachal belt bordering Punjab — has long produced athletes across disciplines, but korfball representation at the national level has remained rare. Milli's elevation to the captaincy of the Under-21 Indian side breaks new ground for a state where the sport has minimal mainstream infrastructure and even less media spotlight.
Korfball, a mixed-gender team sport governed internationally by the International Korfball Federation and in India by the Korfball Federation of India, sits firmly in the niche category domestically — far from the reach of cricket or hockey in terms of funding and public attention. That makes Milli's journey to a world championship captaincy all the more striking.
A State Government's Spotlight on a Niche Sport
Indian state leaders routinely congratulate sportspersons selected for national squads, using such moments to amplify regional pride. CM Sukhu's post follows that pattern — but the specificity here matters. By naming Milli a historic first, he places a spotlight on a sport that rarely gets one, potentially nudging conversations about korfball infrastructure and grassroots support in Himachal Pradesh.
Whether the state follows the public tribute with tangible support — coaching facilities, financial assistance, or a formal felicitation — will be the real measure of momentum. For now, a young captain from the hills has a world stage waiting. All eyes turn to Selangor.
Point of View
Sukhu implicitly invites scrutiny of whether Himachal Pradesh has any korfball infrastructure to speak of. The broader arc to watch: whether this moment translates into policy attention for niche women's sports in hill states, or remains a one-post celebration with no structural follow-through.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Milli the korfball player from Himachal Pradesh?
Milli is a korfball player from Indora village in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. She has been named captain of the Indian women's team for the Under-21 World Korfball Championship in Selangor, Malaysia, making her the first player from Himachal Pradesh to captain the Indian women's korfball side.
What is the Under-21 World Korfball Championship 2026?
The Under-21 World Korfball Championship is an international tournament organised by the International Korfball Federation. The 2026 edition is scheduled to be held in Selangor, Malaysia, featuring national under-21 teams including India.
What is korfball and is it popular in India?
Korfball is a mixed-gender team sport governed internationally by the International Korfball Federation and in India by the Korfball Federation of India. It remains a niche sport in India with limited mainstream coverage compared to cricket or hockey, though the country maintains an active national team.
Why did CM Sukhu post about Milli's korfball captaincy?
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated Milli to celebrate what he described as a historic first — the first player from Himachal Pradesh to captain the Indian women's korfball team — calling it a matter of pride for the entire state.
Where is Indora, Kangra district?
Indora is a town in Kangra district, located in northern Himachal Pradesh bordering Punjab. Kangra district is known for producing sports talent across various disciplines.
