Published:
Indian kabaddi star Ritu Negi has been left out of Himachal Pradesh’s revised list of players eligible for a ₹1 crore cash award following India’s women’s kabaddi triumph at the 2026 Asian Games, according to reports published on 8 October 2026.
Negi, an Arjuna Award recipient and former captain of the Indian women’s kabaddi team, was reportedly included alongside Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur in an earlier list of recognised players. Her name was subsequently absent from the state government’s announcement increasing the award for the kabaddi players from approximately ₹33 lakh to ₹1 crore each.
The omission has prompted questions from Negi and her family, while Himachal Pradesh Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma has said he will examine the matter.
What Happened to Ritu Negi’s Award?
According to The Tribune, Negi’s name was included in an earlier list of four Himachal Pradesh players eligible for the enhanced cash award. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had also reportedly acknowledged the players in a congratulatory social media post.
However, Negi’s name was absent from the subsequent government announcement confirming the increased award.
The change raised questions about the eligibility criteria applied to the players. Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma told The Tribune that he would examine the relevant file and check with the Chief Minister.
As of the latest reports reviewed for this article, no definitive public explanation for Negi’s omission had been established.
Negi expressed shock and disappointment over the decision, particularly because she had previously been recognised among the players expected to receive the enhanced award.
She has highlighted her contributions to Indian kabaddi and her representation of Himachal Pradesh throughout her career.
Her father, Bhawan Singh Negi, also questioned whether her marriage and residence in Haryana had influenced the decision. These concerns have been raised by the family, but they do not establish the government's reason for the omission.
Negi has said she intends to seek clarification from the state leadership.
Negi is an experienced Indian international kabaddi player and an Arjuna Award recipient. Her career includes appearances at three consecutive Asian Games, where she won two gold medals and one silver, according to reporting by The Tribune.
Her achievements have made her a prominent figure in Indian women's kabaddi. The current dispute concerns the state's enhanced cash award rather than the recognition of her sporting achievements.
The circumstances have also prompted broader questions about how state-level sporting incentives are administered and how eligibility decisions are communicated to athletes.
The immediate issue is the reason Negi's name was omitted from the revised award list and whether the government will review the decision.
The Sports Minister's stated intention to examine the file is an important next step. Any definitive conclusion about eligibility will require an official clarification or the outcome of that review.
It would be premature to attribute the omission to Negi's marital status, residence or any other factor without confirmation from the authorities.
Negi is seeking an explanation from the Himachal Pradesh government. The key developments to watch are:
Whether the government publishes its eligibility criteria for the enhanced award.
Whether the Sports Department provides an explanation for the omission.
Whether officials reconsider Negi's eligibility.
Whether the state announces a revised list or a final decision.
The matter remains unresolved in the reports reviewed. SportsLine.news will update this story if an official statement or a confirmed decision becomes available.
1. The Tribune — Asian Games gold medallist Ritu Negi dropped from Rs 1-crore kabaddi award list
Publisher: The Tribune
URL: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/asian-games-gold-medallist-ritu-negi-dropped-from-rs-1-crore-kabaddi-award-list/
Supports: The reported omission from the revised award list, the earlier inclusion, the Sports Minister's response and comments attributed to Negi and her family.
2. The Times of India — Ritu Negi's reaction after being left out of the reward list
Publisher: The Times of India
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/asian-games-2026/i-was-a-daughter-of-himachal-ritu-negis-heartbreak-after-home-state-drops-asian-games-gold-medallist-from-rs-1-crore-reward-list/articleshow/134830450.cms
Supports: Additional reporting on Negi's response and the controversy surrounding the state award.
