“Sports Are a Form of Education”: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Flags Off Olympic Run in Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhumarked International Olympic Day 2026 by flagging off an Olympic Run from his official residence Oak Over in Shimla, reaffirming the state government’s push to strengthen sports infrastructure development and promote youth participation across the state.

The event was conducted in Shimla and designated the Indira Gandhi State Sports Complex as its finish line. Approximately 200 participants in both the men’s and women’s runs registered for the event.

As Sukhu addressed the participants, he stated that the Himachal Pradesh state government is making efforts to include sports as a formal component of youth development along with the school curriculum.

Sukhu said the government is working to make the Khelo India events happen in Himachal Pradesh. To support budding athletes, sports infrastructure is being developed in the districts of Bilaspur, Kangra, Una, and Hamirpur.

Himachal Pradesh’s government is also working to build a Sports Centre of Excellence in Nadaun town in the Hamirpur district. They are committing an investment of ₹150 crores, with the expected completion in 2023.

Sukhu also announced significant enhancements in cash rewards for medal winners, positioning the state among those offering some of the highest athlete incentives in the country.

He said that there has been an increased cash award for Olympic, Paralympic and Winter Olympic gold medalists from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore. In addition, gold medalists at the Asian and Para Asian Games will get ₹4 crore, and gold medalists at the Commonwealth and Para Commonwealth Games will get ₹3 crore.

The Chief Minister said that these steps are to inspire athletes to try and reach the highest level of competition. The Olympic Run had multiple categories of participants and had many people in attendance, including officials from the Youth Services and Sports Department and the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association. Sukhu asked the youth to view sports as a way to learn key skills, including teamwork, mental fortitude, and focus, as well as showing support for the state’s anti-drug efforts.

Sportscapefeels that Himachal Pradesh has combined sports infrastructure, funding, and grassroots participation to create a structured athlete ecosystem of its own. Infrastructure projects like the Nadaun Centre of Excellence are a big step forward, but the long-term effects will depend on how well these projects develop elite athletes and create success on the national level.

With the creation of quality infrastructure and funding, the state could further integrate itself into the athlete pipeline of India.