In a proud moment for Himachal Pradesh, Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Thursday personally honoured the talented girl students of the Thakur Ramlal Girls Sports Hostel in Jubbal, Shimla district. The felicitation ceremony recognised their outstanding performances at both national and international sporting events.
Celebrating Excellence on the Global Stage
The minister specifically felicitated three standout athletes for their recent triumph. Khyati Dhanta from Jubbal, Preeti from Kotkhai, and Riya from Sirmaur were applauded for their excellent performance at the ISF Under-15 World School Volleyball Championship held in China. Their success brings glory not just to their hostel and school, but to the entire state.
A Hub for Sporting Talent
Minister Thakur highlighted the pivotal role of the Thakur Ramlal Girls Sports Hostel, calling it a major training centre in Shimla district. Currently, it provides specialised coaching in volleyball, kabaddi, and badminton to 55 dedicated students. The results speak for themselves: in 2025 alone, 33 girls from this institution were selected at the national level, with three reaching the international stage.
The hostel's legacy is deep-rooted. Established in 1987, it began with a focus on volleyball training. Over the last two years, its curriculum expanded to include kabaddi and badminton. Today, the hostel offers training for 20 seats each in volleyball and kabaddi, and 15 seats in badminton.
Government's Push for Sports Infrastructure
Rohit Thakur reiterated the state government's strong commitment to promoting sports. He outlined several key initiatives undertaken to support athletes:
- Upgradation of existing sports facilities across the state.
- Construction of a new hostel building at Jubbal at a cost of Rs 2.27 crore.
- An increase in the diet money allocated for players to ensure proper nutrition.
- A continued policy of honouring and rewarding athletes for excellence.
Adding a significant academic boost, the minister announced that the Thakur Ramlal Golden Jubilee Government Senior Secondary School in Jubbal has now received CBSE recognition. This move is expected to significantly improve the educational standards for the student-athletes, allowing them to balance sports and academics on a stronger platform.
The ceremony, held at the school premises, underscores a successful model of sports development. Himachal Pradesh has a total of nine such sports hostels, with the Jubbal centre standing out as a beacon for nurturing female sporting talent, proving that with the right support and facilities, athletes from the hills can conquer the world.
