Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Wednesday stated that as a measure to promote sports activity in the state, the cash awards for individual as well as team participants have been enhanced for those who would make a national mark in any discipline.

Presiding over a review meet on sports and youth services, the chief minister disclosed that a three-day long National Women Sports Festival would be organized in Hamirpur in the first week of December, where about 1,200 sportswomen from the country were likely to participate in athletics, badminton, hockey and table tennis.

He also announced to make August 20, which happens to the birthday of the legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand, as the state sports day. A hock ey tournament in memory of the great player would also be organized, he said.

He said the budget allocation for youth activities had been increased from Rs 3 lakh in 1982-83 to Rs 12.62 crore in the current year. During 2008-09 an amount of Rs 2.94 core would be spent on sports activities, Rs 71.50 lakh for youth activities and Rs 5 crore on infrastructure development, the chief minister said.

He said grant-in-aid for outstanding sporting performances had been revised and Rs 1 lakh would be given for national medal winner in individual category and Rs 75K for team event games for reaching up to quarterfinal levels.