HP CM Office Visits SAI Centre of Excellence in Hamirpur
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh visited the SAI Centre of Excellence in Anu, Hamirpur on June 21, 2026, engaging with young athletes and trainees. The office described the youth's energy, discipline, and dedication to sport as deeply inspiring, spotlighting state efforts to nurture grassroots sporting talent under schemes like Khelo India.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh held an interaction with trainees and young athletes at the SAI Centre of Excellence, Anu, Hamirpur on June 21, 2026 .
The office described the youth's energy, discipline, and sporting dedication as 'extremely inspiring' .
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) , established in 1984 , operates the Centres of Excellence network to provide elite training to grassroots athletes.
The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017 , supports such centres through funding and talent identification at the district level.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has actively promoted sports as a career path for Himachal Pradesh youth since taking office in December 2022 .
The visit is expected to draw attention to upcoming competitions and potential infrastructure announcements for Hamirpur district .
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh shared on Sunday, June 21, 2026, that a warm interaction was held with trainees, young athletes, and children at the SAI Centre of Excellence located in Anu, Hamirpur district. The post highlighted the energy, discipline, and sporting dedication of the youth as deeply inspiring.
Context
The Chief Minister's Office posted in Hindi, noting that the visit offered 'aatmiya samvaad ka avsar' (an opportunity for heartfelt dialogue) with young athletes at the facility. The statement described the youth's commitment to sport as 'atyanth preranadayak' — extremely inspiring. The interaction was accompanied by four photographs from the event.Policy Backdrop
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), established in 1984 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, operates Centres of Excellence across the country to provide elite-level training to promising young athletes. The Anu facility in Hamirpur is one such centre aimed at identifying and nurturing grassroots sporting talent in Himachal Pradesh. The Khelo India national programme, launched in 2017, has further strengthened this ecosystem by funding infrastructure, identifying talent at the district level, and supporting SAI-affiliated Centres of Excellence. Himachal Pradesh, with its educational base and geographic character, has positioned sports as a viable career path for local youth — a direction that state leadership has actively promoted since Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took office in December 2022.Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of facilities like the Anu SAI Centre of Excellence are young athletes from Hamirpur district and surrounding areas who receive structured coaching, access to sports science support, and competitive exposure. Direct engagement by the Chief Minister's Office with trainees at such facilities serves to boost morale and draw public attention to state investment in youth sports. For the broader sporting ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh, high-visibility visits reinforce the message that sports is a credible career avenue alongside academics — a narrative that has gained traction nationally as India's performance in international competitions has improved in recent years.What's Next
Attention will now turn to upcoming state and national-level competitions where trainees from the Anu centre may represent Himachal Pradesh. Any supplementary budget announcements targeting sports infrastructure in the state will also be closely watched. The visit signals continued political will to sustain and expand the Centre of Excellence model as part of Himachal Pradesh's youth development agenda.Point of View
Where youth unemployment and outmigration are persistent concerns, framing sports as a viable career path carries political as well as policy weight. The timing — ahead of potential budget cycles — suggests the visit may be a precursor to announcements on sports infrastructure funding. More broadly, it reflects India's post-pandemic push to deepen the Khelo India pipeline and improve the country's international competitive standing.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SAI Centre of Excellence in Anu, Hamirpur?
The SAI Centre of Excellence in Anu, Hamirpur district, is a training facility operated by the Sports Authority of India to provide structured coaching and development support to young athletes in Himachal Pradesh.
What is the Khelo India programme?
Khelo India is a central government scheme launched in 2017 to develop sports infrastructure, identify grassroots talent, and support Centres of Excellence across India, including in states like Himachal Pradesh.
Who is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has served as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh since December 2022, with a focus on youth engagement and sports promotion in the state.
Why did the HP CM Office visit the Hamirpur sports centre?
The Chief Minister's Office visited the SAI Centre of Excellence in Anu, Hamirpur on June 21, 2026, to interact with young athletes and trainees, describing their dedication as inspiring and underscoring state support for grassroots sports development.
What is the Sports Authority of India?
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, established in 1984, that manages elite training centres and sports infrastructure across the country.
