December 31, 2008 :Shri J.P. Nadda, Forest Minister and President, H.P. Olympic Association and Shri Anurag Thakur, MP, Lok Sabha and Secretary of the Olympic Association have expressed gratitude to Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister for increasing the daily allowance of the sportspersons of the State from the current Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 within the State and an increased amount of Rs. 120 for the sportspersons representing the State outside.They said that the State Government has always been looking after the interests of the sportspersons from the day of its taking over one year back adding that this announcement is an addition to the list of initiatives being taken up by the State Government. They said that in January 2008 the Government felicitated and provided cash prizes to the sportspersons from the State and the sports community and Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association thanked the government for providing 3% quota in jobs for sportspersons. Years prior to that the sports community of the State has been in neglect with no concrete initiatives by the previous State Government, they said.
Shri Nadda and Shri Thakur said that with Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association proposing to set up 12 new stadiums in the State, the State Government has been helpful in providing the necessary land for setting up the same. These stadiums would be equipped with the latest equipment of international standards, providing the State with the much needed infrastructure for producing international sportspersons. These stadiums will be ready to host national events, they said.
They said that another positive step from the State Government is the appointment of 50 new coaches for different games. This is an encouraging step for former sportspersons as it would provide them with much needed job and help them promote their sports and also it would be encouragement for the current sportspersons, they added.
Shri Nadda and Shri Thakur said that all these initiatives of the State Government have been keeping in mind the State Governments promise to promote the sports culture of the State and develop sports persons of international fame in the coming years. They said that Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association under the current team is taking up the cause of the sportspersons at war footing with the concerned people and is committed for betterment of sports infrastructure upto the grassroot level.