Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday, 8 June inaugurated the Multipurpose Sports Stadium in Sanjauli, near Shimla, built at a cost of ₹3.18 crore. The event also marked the launch of the state's first Chitta Awareness Volleyball Tournament, held as part of the International Summer Festival Shimla.

Key Developments at the Inauguration

Chief Minister Sukhu unveiled the volleyball tournament's trophy and announced a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the winning team. He took the salute of a march past by 13 teams from across the state and administered an anti-drug oath to all participants — underlining the event's dual focus on sports promotion and substance abuse awareness.

The tournament's name itself reflects a policy priority: 'Chitta' is a locally used term for heroin and synthetic drugs that have severely affected Himachal Pradesh's youth in recent years. Framing a volleyball tournament around this issue signals the state government's intent to use sport as a counter-narrative to drug culture.

Announcements for Sanjauli and Sports Infrastructure

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced ₹1 crore for the further development of the Sanjauli Ground, the establishment of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the area, and the elevation of the Sanjauli Holi Fair to district-level status. He also confirmed that a new stadium is under construction in Ghatasani, near Shimla, at a cost of ₹10 crore.

What the Government Said on Sports Policy

Sukhu said the state government is actively pursuing hosting rights for Khelo India competitions in Himachal Pradesh, with directions already issued to the relevant department. He added that prize money for winners of international competitions has been increased, and a policy to reward national-level sports winners will be introduced shortly.

On athlete welfare, he noted that daily diet allowances have been revised upward: sportspersons competing within the state now receive ₹400 per day, while those travelling outside the state receive ₹500 per day. Air travel is also being provided for journeys exceeding 200 km.

Local Significance and Political Context

MLA Harish Janartha noted that the Sanjauli Ground is among the oldest sports facilities in the area, and its long-pending redevelopment has now been addressed. He said the Chief Minister's push to channel youth energy into sports aligns directly with the state's anti-drug agenda.

This comes amid broader concerns about drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, where chitta addiction has become a significant public health issue over the past decade. With the Ghatasani stadium also in the pipeline, the state government appears to be accelerating investment in grassroots sports infrastructure across the Shimla belt.