Ritu Negi Dropped From ₹1-Crore Kabaddi Award

Ritu Negi Dropped From Himachal’s ₹1-Crore Kabaddi Award List

Ritu Negi, an Asian Games gold medallist and Arjuna Award winner, has been left out of Himachal Pradesh’s revised ₹1-crore kabaddi award list, creating shock and disappointment around one of India’s leading women’s kabaddi players. Her name had appeared in an earlier list alongside Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur, but disappeared from the government’s later announcement.

Ritu Negi’s Name Disappears From the Kabaddi List

The Himachal government initially announced ₹33 lakh each for the state’s four members of India’s gold-winning women’s kabaddi team at the 2026 Asian Games. After the players met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the reward for three players Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur  was raised to ₹1 crore each. Ritu Negi, however, was not included in the revised announcement.

Ritu Negi Questions the Decision

Negi said she was shocked by the sudden change and questioned why her contribution to Himachal Pradesh was being treated differently. “I was Himachal’s daughter until a week ago,” she said, referring to the earlier congratulatory messages she had received. She also questioned whether her marriage in Haryana had influenced the decision.

A Gold-Winning Kabaddi Career

The Ritu Negi story comes with a strong record. She is the only Indian woman kabaddi player to have represented India at three consecutive Asian Games, winning two gold medals and one silver. She was also part of India’s gold-medal campaign at the 2026 Asian Games and previously captained the Indian team at the Hangzhou Games.

₹1-Crore Award Creates a Fresh Debate

The revised cash award has now created a debate over recognition for athletes representing Himachal. While the government has said Negi will receive an award from Haryana, Negi pointed out that athletes can receive recognition from more than one state. She also said she is employed with the Railways and has represented Himachal in domestic competitions.

What Happens Next for Ritu Negi?

Negi has said she plans to meet the Chief Minister and seek clarity on the kabaddi award decision. For a player with multiple Asian Games medals and an Arjuna Award, the controversy has added an unexpected chapter to her career — one that is now about recognition as much as kabaddi.