Haryana honours 132 Asian Games and Para Asian Games athletes with Rs 189.3 crore in cash awards

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday presented cash awards totalling Rs 189.3 crore to 132 athletes for their performances at the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, reaffirming the state's focus on supporting sportspersons and strengthening its sporting infrastructure.

The awards were presented at a state-level felicitation ceremony at Bhim Stadium in Bhiwani. Saini said the recognition was not limited to the athletes' achievements, but also acknowledged the efforts of their parents, coaches, teachers and support staff.

“A medal may only take moments to be placed around an athlete’s neck, but earning it demands a lifetime of dedication,” he said, noting that every medal represented years of training, sacrifice and the determination to recover from defeat.

Haryana's contribution to India's Asian Games performance

Saini highlighted Haryana's contribution to India's fourth-place finish at the Asian Games, where the country won 85 medals. Athletes from the state accounted for 32 of those medals, including 14 golds.

He claimed that two out of every three gold medals won by India at the Games came from Haryana's athletes.

India also achieved its best-ever performance at the Para Asian Games, securing 114 medals. Haryana's para-athletes contributed 31 medals, including nine golds, accounting for nearly 30% of the country's gold medal tally.

The Chief Minister singled out boxers Ankush Panghal and Parveen Hooda for their gold medal-winning performances. He also praised Haryana's contribution to India's men's and women's hockey teams, both of which won gold at the Asian Games and secured qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Government jobs and financial support for sportspersons

Saini said the state government's sports policy provided eligible athletes with opportunities for government employment in recognition of their achievements. So far, 260 outstanding sportspersons have been appointed to Group A, B and C posts under the state's recruitment rules.

He added that Haryana had distributed Rs 931 crore in cash awards to 17,676 athletes, including the latest beneficiaries.

The monthly honorarium for recipients of major sports awards has also been increased. Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Tenzing Norgay awardees are now entitled to Rs 20,000 per month, while Bhim Award recipients receive Rs 5,000 monthly.

Rs 1,100 crore spent on sports infrastructure

The Chief Minister said the Haryana government had invested around Rs 1,100 crore in sports infrastructure over the past 12 years.

Urging young people to take up sports instead of drugs, he said playing fields helped instil discipline and kept young people away from substance abuse. He called on athletes to continue working towards excellence and bringing recognition to the state and the country.

Development projects launched in Bhiwani

Earlier in the day, Saini inaugurated six development projects in Bhiwani with a combined estimated cost of Rs 133.66 crore. He also laid the foundation stones for two additional projects, which are expected to cost Rs 8.46 crore.

The projects formed part of the state's wider development initiatives alongside its efforts to promote sports and recognise the achievements of athletes.