To give fillip to sports activities in Himachal, the state government is striving to strengthen sports infrastructure so that the youth could exhibit their sporting talent in the national and international events. The concerted efforts by the government to boost sports activities has started showing results as the players of the state performed brilliantly in the 18th Asian Games organized in Jakarta recently.

Three of the women’s kabaddi players as well as a male player won silver medals making the state proud.

An official spokesperson said here on Sunday that this year, the state government has launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Khel Vikas Yojna’, under which precision has been made to develop playground in each Assembly constituency.

The approval for the developing nine new play grounds has been given by making a provision of Rs. 6.80 crore, he added.

Similarly, this year Rs. 15 crore has been earmarked for construction of multipurpose intersection sports complexes, playgrounds and other structural facilities in the state, said he.

A provision of Rs. 2 crore has also been made for the revival of playgrounds besides Rs. 45.43 crores for promoting sports activities in different parts of the state during current fiscal, said the spokesperson.

With a view to encourage the players of the state to participate in international level competitions, the state government has increased the amount of medal winners of the Olympic and Commonwealth games, he maintained.

The amount given to the gold medal in the Olympics has been increased to Rs Two crore from Rs One crore.

The amount of silver medal has been increased to rupees one crore from Rs. 75 lakh and for bronze medal winner to Rs 50 lakhs from Rs 25 lakhs, he said, adding that similarly, for the Asian games or Commonwealth games, gold medallist will be given Rs 20 lakhs, silver medallist Rs Six lakhs and winner of the bronze medal Rs 10 lakhs.

The state government has also enhanced the cash prize to the players for setting a new international record in any individual competition to Rs 10 lakhs from Rs Eight lakhs whereas Rs 10 lakhs from Rs Six lakhs to the players for setting a new record in any individual event in Commonwealth and Asian Games, he said.

He said, similarly the cash prize has been increased to Rs Five lakh from Rs Two lakh to the players for setting a new national record in any individual event and Rs One lakh fromRs. 80,000 for sports persons participating in any international sports competition as a member of the Indian contingent.