Himachal Pradesh raises kabaddi Asian Games reward to ₹1 crore for 3 players
Synopsis
Three Himachali gold medallists from the Asian Games kabaddi squad had to meet the Chief Minister in person before their reward was tripled — from ₹33 lakh to ₹1 crore each. The episode spotlights a persistent disconnect between state sports policy commitments and actual athlete payouts after major tournament wins.
Key Takeaways
The Himachal Pradesh government has revised the cash reward for Pushpa Rana , Jyoti Thakur , and Bhawna Thakur to ₹1 crore each after an initial offer of ₹33 lakh drew player protest.
All three players will also receive government employment — either in the Police Department or the Youth Services and Sports Department .
The trio were part of the Indian women's kabaddi team that won gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games .
India fast bowler Renuka Thakur will separately receive ₹1 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government in recognition of her achievements.
The formal award ceremony is yet to be held; Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has pledged the rewards will be presented at an official function.
The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday revised upward the cash prize for three of its women kabaddi players who won gold at the recently concluded Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, committing ₹1 crore each along with a government job — after the players publicly expressed disappointment over an initial offer of ₹33 lakh.
The Players and the Prize Revision
The three Himachali members of the Indian women's kabaddi team — Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur — met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla and were honoured with traditional Himachali caps and shawls. The revised reward of ₹1 crore per player is a significant jump from the ₹33 lakh that had been initially announced and circulated on social media, drawing sharp criticism from the athletes. Both the women's and men's kabaddi teams clinched gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
What the Chief Minister Announced
Beyond the cash award, Chief Minister Sukhu assured all three players of government employment. According to an official state government release, those who prefer not to join the Police Department will be offered positions in the Youth Services and Sports Department, allowing them to continue their sporting careers while contributing to sports development in the state.
India fast bowler Renuka Thakur is also set to receive ₹1 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government 'in recognition of her achievements', the release added.
Players Speak Out: Disappointment That Led to the Meeting
India women's kabaddi captain Pushpa Rana, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, was candid about the players' initial dismay. 'We were very disappointed because according to the sports policy, we were not being given the amount that was due to us. So literally, anyone would be disappointed,' she said. She added that following the meeting, the Chief Minister's response was 'very positive', and she expressed confidence that the ₹1 crore pledged would be formally disbursed at an official function.
Jyoti Thakur echoed those sentiments, noting that the original ₹33 lakh figure seen on social media had left the team feeling let down. 'He assured us that an incentive reward of ₹1 crore will be presented to us at an official function,' she said of the Chief Minister's commitment.
State Government's Reaction
Himachal Pradesh Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan praised the athletes' achievement, highlighting that three players from the state — including Pushpa Rana from Sirmaur, who captained the Indian team, Bhawna Thakur, Jyoti Thakur, and Ritu Negi from the Shillai constituency — represented Team India at the Asiad. 'It is a proud moment for us that they led India to the gold medal,' he said.
The episode underscores a recurring tension in Indian sports policy: athletes who secure marquee medals often face a gap between what state sports policies guarantee and what is actually disbursed before public pressure forces a correction. With the formal award ceremony yet to take place, all eyes will be on whether the ₹1 crore commitments are honoured on schedule.
Point of View
And it raises the question of how many athletes in less high-profile disciplines quietly accept the lower figure. State sports reward policies across India are notoriously discretionary, and Himachal Pradesh's swift reversal, while welcome, does not address the structural gap between published policy and actual disbursement. The government job promise adds another layer of scrutiny: job letters, not ceremonial assurances, are what athletes ultimately need.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cash reward did Himachal Pradesh announce for its women's kabaddi Asian Games gold medallists?
The Himachal Pradesh government announced ₹1 crore each for Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur, revising an earlier figure of ₹33 lakh that had drawn disappointment from the players. The formal presentation is to be made at an official state function.
Why were the kabaddi players initially disappointed with the Himachal Pradesh government?
The players were dissatisfied because an initial reward of ₹33 lakh, circulated on social media, fell short of what they believed was due under the state's own sports policy. Captain Pushpa Rana said they were 'very disappointed' and sought a direct meeting with Chief Minister Sukhu to present their case.
What government jobs will the three players receive?
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured all three players of government employment. Those who do not wish to join the Police Department will be offered appointments in the Youth Services and Sports Department, so they can continue playing while contributing to sports development in the state.
Which Asian Games did the Indian women's kabaddi team win gold at?
The Indian women's kabaddi team won a gold medal at the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Both the men's and women's kabaddi teams claimed gold at those Games.
Is Renuka Thakur also receiving a reward from Himachal Pradesh?
Yes. India fast bowler Renuka Thakur is separately set to receive ₹1 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government in recognition of her cricket achievements, according to the official state government release.
