The Himachal Pradesh government has taken a significant step to promote sports by providing government jobs to 99 sportspersons under a dedicated sports quota, highlighting the state’s increased focus on athletic development and youth engagement.
📌 Sports Quota & Employment:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that a fixed three-percent sports quota has been implemented in state government jobs for outstanding athletes. Since 2024, 99 players from across Himachal have received government employment through this quota, offering them career security and stable income in recognition of their sporting achievements.
📈 Strengthening Sports Culture:
The move underscores the government’s aim to make sports a viable full-time profession for young athletes, rather than just a hobby. By guaranteeing jobs tied to sporting excellence, the administration hopes to encourage more youth to seriously pursue competitive sports.
💪 Infrastructure & Incentives:
Along with employment support, the state is investing in modern sports infrastructure, improved prize money, and higher diet allowances for athletes. These incentives are part of broader efforts to enhance training facilities, nurture talent, and motivate athletes to compete at state, national and international levels.
🏟️ New Sports Facilities:
The government is also constructing a large indoor multipurpose sports complex in Nadaun (in the CM’s home constituency) covering nearly 9,735 square metres at an estimated cost of over ₹112 crore. This facility will include a swimming pool, shooting range, gymnasium, yoga hall, courts for badminton, volleyball and tennis, and space for combat sports, significantly upgrading local training opportunities.
👍 Youth Engagement & Social Impact:
Officials say these measures are helping to channelise youth energy positively, promote fitness and healthy lifestyles, and steer young people away from social evils such as substance abuse. By combining jobs with sports promotion, the initiative aims to build a sustainable athletic ecosystem in the hill state.
🟢 Key Points at a Glance
- 99 sportspersons given government jobs under 3% sports quota.
- Strategy aims to make sports a professional, career-oriented pursuit for youth.
- Modern infrastructure upgrades and new sports complex underway.
- Additional financial incentives for athletes to boost performance and participation.
- Part of broader state initiative to improve youth engagement and fitness.