📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Finance
Sports
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur urges Himachal Pradesh to release pending medal incentives
✍️ Daily Excelsior
🗓 19 Oct 2026, 07:01 AM
👁 15
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has called on the Himachal Pradesh government to promptly disburse pending financial incentives promised to athletes who have won medals.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote to the Himachal Pradesh government urging it to clear the outstanding monetary rewards earmarked for athletes who have secured medals at national and international events. He emphasized that timely release of these incentives is essential to sustain the morale of sportspersons and to encourage continued excellence.
Thakur highlighted that the central government’s sports policy links financial assistance to performance, and state authorities are expected to honor their commitments without delay. He also reminded the state that prompt payments reflect the government's support for grassroots talent and help athletes focus on training rather than financial concerns.
The minister’s appeal comes amid growing expectations from the sporting community in Himachal Pradesh, which has produced several medalists in recent championships. He asked the state administration to expedite the process and ensure that the promised amounts reach the athletes at the earliest.
No specific timeline was provided, but Thakur indicated that the central ministry will monitor the situation and work with the state to resolve any procedural bottlenecks.
Thakur highlighted that the central government’s sports policy links financial assistance to performance, and state authorities are expected to honor their commitments without delay. He also reminded the state that prompt payments reflect the government's support for grassroots talent and help athletes focus on training rather than financial concerns.
The minister’s appeal comes amid growing expectations from the sporting community in Himachal Pradesh, which has produced several medalists in recent championships. He asked the state administration to expedite the process and ensure that the promised amounts reach the athletes at the earliest.
No specific timeline was provided, but Thakur indicated that the central ministry will monitor the situation and work with the state to resolve any procedural bottlenecks.