Sports in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is the paradise for sports lovers especially for the adventure seekers. Even if you do not take much interest in adventure sports like kayaking, river rafting, mountain biking, camping, surfing, paragliding, angling, skiing and skating, you can enjoy regular sports like cricket, football, badminton and table tennis in different parts of this state.
Clubs are there in the state where outdoor as well as indoor games like cards, snookers, chess etc. can be played and outdoor courts and grounds are available for various other outdoor games. Read this article to know the popular common sports of Himachal Pradesh.
Cricket in Himachal Pradesh
In India, popularity of Cricket is beyond doubt. After starting of the IPL series spectators for every cricket match has increased manifold. Cricket is one of the most popular outdoor games of
Himachal Pradesh State. History of Cricket in Himachal Pradesh dates back to 80s. The Cricket Team of Himachal Pradesh has been playing the Ranji Trophy Competition since 1985. In the Ranji Trophy matches of 1985-86 and 1987-88, Himachal Pradesh Cricket had lost all their matches. The team got their first victory in 1990-1991 Ranji Trophy. Most of the home games of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Team are played at HPCA Stadium located at Dharamsala.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association
Development and promotion of Cricket in Himachal Pradesh State is the responsibility of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. The organization was set up in 1960 and got its affiliation by the Cricket Board of India in the year 1984.
Contact Information:-Himachal Pradesh Cricket AssociationHPCA Cricket Stadium
Dharamsala
District Kangra
Phone No.: 01892 229 539
Email Id: hpcandharamsala@yahoo.com
Football in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has a state football team that represents the state in the Santosh Trophy Tournament. Apart from this, many talented footballers are there playing at the district level tournaments or events like football festivals, unb. Himachal Pradesh Football Association is the organization that has District Football Associations working at every district. HPFA organized football tournaments in different districts and many tournaments at the State Level get organized for promoting football in the state. Sponsors also help in the development of football in Himachal Pradesh. Recently one of the oldest clubs of Asia, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club had tie-up with HPFA. As per this new association, Mohun Bagan Club will help in the promotion of football in Himachal Pradesh by providing important technical inputs and other support to HPFA.
Contact Details:HPFAGunnughat, Nahan
District Sirmour
173001
President Phone No.: 94181 91100
Secretary Phone No.: 94180 85005
Email Id: deepakhpfa.2010@gmail.com
Hockey in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has been the hub of many young talents in the field of hockey. It has already got two Olympic Hockey Players from Una District of the state, Deepak Thakur and Charanjeet Singh. Construction of first Highest Altitude Astroturf in
Shilaroo Stadium in Shimla in November 2010 will definitely boost promotion of hockey in Himachal Pradesh. Regular training camps for hockey are organized in the state.
Ice Hockey in Himachal Pradesh
Many parts of Himachal Pradesh gets covered with thick layers of snow during winter months and thereby become ideal places for playing Ice Hockey. Shimla in Himachal Pradesh is one of the oldest places where playing of Ice Hockey was started and it is still very popular among the locals and the tourists. Many tourists prefer to visit Himachal Pradesh during winter to enjoy this exciting game at one of the oldest hockey rinks of India, the Shimla Ice Skating Hockey Rink. Since 2009, India has been playing in the international Ice Hockey Tournaments.
Read About: Shimla Ice Skating Carnival
Golf in Himachal Pradesh
One of the most popular sports of Himachal Pradesh is Golf. This game has helped in boosting the tourism of the state a lot. The state is famous for some of the most happening high altitude golf courses of the world. Naldehra Golf Course, Khajjiar Golf Course and
Annandale Golf Course of Himachal Pradesh are the famous golf courses of Himachal Pradesh.
Many resorts and hotels of Himachal Pradesh houses golf courses for their guests ensuring they have some engaging moments during their visit to this state.
Famous Golf Courses in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has some famous and finest golf courses that offer excellent golfing facilities attracting a lot of tourists.
Naldehra in Shimla
Shimla with its enthralling natural beauty and suitable climatic condition offers some excellent golf courses in India. Situated at a distance of about 22 km from Shimla, Naldehra at an elevation of about 3,044 metres above the sea level is the perfect destination for golfing in the whole of Himachal Pradesh. Naldehra boasts of having one of the best and oldest golf courses in India. Smitten by the lush greenery and the picturesque view of Naldehra, Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India established the Naldehra Golf Course, a nine- hole golf course with par 68 in 1903. This golf course in the midst of dense forest with breathtaking landscapes in the background is a major tourist destination.
Annandale in Shimla
Annandale is a beautiful and majestic playground situated at a distance of about 4 km from Kaithu, a beautiful village situated in a magnificent valley towards the western part of Shimla. Annandale Golf Course is popular for a nine-hole golf course attracting a lot of golfers and sport lovers. Towering at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet above the sea level, Annandale, originally named Annadale by Captain Pratt Kennedy is well maintained by the Indian Army. Tourists come here regularly to enjoy an exciting game of golf. Apart from golf, cricket and polo matches are also organised in this playground.
Khajjiar in Chamba
The picturesque Chamba Valley is known for its rich biodiversity and greenery. Situated on the majestic River Ravi along its right bank, Chamba is crowned by a beautiful hill station, Khajjar. Lying sheepishly between Chamba (at about 22 km) and the scenic Dalhousie (about 24 km), Khajjiar is surrounded by a canopy of thick and dense forests and magnificent meadows. The major attraction in Khajjiar is a nine-hole golf course which draws a lot of tourists and golfers in particular. The golf course is well maintained and with some scintillating landscapes is a perfect getaway from the chaos of everyday life.
Ideal Time for Golfing in Himachal Pradesh
What makes any game a success is a perfect blend of climatic and topographical conditions. Before taking on the golf course one should be well aware of the season best suited for golf. The perfect time to enjoy and play golf in Himachal Pradesh is between Aprils to June, when the weather is not too harsh on the players.
Equipments Necessary for Golfing in Himachal Pradesh
A game of golf without the essential and appropriate equipments is a big failure. To enjoy golf to the fullest, one needs to carry all the necessary equipments.
Golf Ball
A golf ball is one of the most important equipment. The ball chosen should be such that it travels far with precision. Usually, soft balls tend to more precise.
Golf Clubs
A golf club helps in hitting the ball. There are basically three types of clubs used in golf; woods, iron and putter. Woods are used to hit the ball far but it lacks precision. Irons are the ones which are very precise and accurate and are usually used for nearer shots. Putters are used for shorter and nearer shots.
Ball Markers
A ball marker is a flat, round piece of plastic or metal used for marking the position of a ball.
Golf Bags
A golf bag is used to carry the different types of golf clubs. These bags are usually not very heavy and are commonly made of canvas, nylon or leather.
Also Read: Golf Courses in Shimla
Safety Tips for Gollfing in Himachal Pradesh
1. One should follow some important safety tips while playing golf
2. One should drink water at regular intervals to keep themselves hydrated.
3. One should not be under the influence of any intoxicants.
4. One should take care to keep themselves protected from the sun by using a good sunscreen lotion and wearing light, full sleeved clothes.
5. While taking a shot one should be very alert and make sure that there is no one standing close enough to get hit by the ball.
Badminton in Himachal Pradesh
Badminton is played in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and to boost this game, Himachal Pradesh Badminton Association has been working with the India Badminton Association. Recently the association has decided to organize league matches from January 2015 in Dharamsala to ensure more young talents especially from the rural parts of the state could be identified and trained for future. In 2001, Kangra District Badminton Association has been established to promote this game in the entire district. Since its establishment, the association has been organizing badminton matches and tournaments of district level. Badminton courts are present in almost all the standard hotels and resorts of Himachal Pradesh so that visitors could enjoy this one of the popular games of India.
Himachal Pradesh Badminton AssociationSri Rajinder Sharma
Secretary
Nadaun,
Hamirpur - 177 033
Phone No.: 94180 58720 / 0197 260 653
Email Id: rajinder6001@gmail.com
Kangra District Badminton AssociationDr. D.S. Katoch
President
6, Civil Lines
Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh – 176 213
Phone No.: 94181 88324
Email Id: dhruvendarkatoch@gmail.com
Table Tennis in Himachal Pradesh
One of the most played indoor games in Himachal Pradesh is the Table Tennis. Youth clubs and Sports Complex in the state have been helping in the promotion of table tennis in Himachal Pradesh. Identification of young talents, providing training, and organizing tournaments of district level and state level have been done by the Table Tennis Association of Himachal Pradesh.
Table Tennis Federation Himachal PradeshSri Somnath Pramanik
Secretary
Himachal Pradesh Table Tennis Association
Shimla - 171 003
Phone No.: 0177 265 2612 (extension 359), 93186 38701
Government’s Role in Himachal Sports Development
Importance of sports in daily life has compelled the government of Himachal Pradesh to form a separate department that would cater to Sports and other requirements for the youths and Youth Services and Sports Department got created in 1982/83.
The department has a Director who is the head of the department and Joint Director (1) and Deputy Directors (2) provide assistant to the Director of this department. At the District Level, there are officers to look after the functioning of this department except in the Lahaul and Spiti District. In this district, Project Officer looks after the activities of Youth Services and Sports Department. At the district level, coaching centers are established and experienced trainers are recruited to provide trainings to the students. Sports hostels have been constructed so that students could reside here and undergo proper training and participate at the competitions organized at the district, state, national and international levels. Latest equipments for various sports are also bought for the students in these training centers set up by the government.
Sports Academies of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh houses sports academies mostly backed by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. Some of these academies are residential and some are day academies. Find below the information about the various sports academies of Himachal Pradesh and how they help in promoting different sports in the state.
Himachal Cricket Academy
This academy was established with an aim to promote cricket in the state and to identify young cricketers and nurture them. Academies of Himachal Pradesh are run by Himachal Pradesh Cricket Associations and they are of various types:
- Residential Academies are located at Una, Dharamsala and Kangra.
- 12 day academies are there in the 12 district headquarters of Himachal Pradesh.
- There is a transit academy located at Dharamsala.
Residential Academy Dharamsala
At this academy about 15 boys of various age groups are selected based on their performances in various domestic matches. Academy has all types of modern equipments for the students. There are about 10 practice wickets for the students, a ground of international standard is there and also an indoor practice area.
Reading room, gymnasium and indoor games room is there. Rehabilitation center, dining room, coaches’ room are also there. Swimming pools, tennis courts, squash courts, basket ball and volley ball courts are there for the students.
Residential Academy Kangra
This academy is meant for Under-17 women where about 22 girls get selected and undergo stringent training programs. They get selected based on their performance in various matches. The academy is headed by Level B-Coach.
Residential Academy Una
This is for the Under-16 boys and is looked after by the HPCA. Thirty one boys get trained under the supervision of coaches at this center. This is headed by Level-C coach.
Transit Academy
In this academy about 45 boys get selected and are divided into three groups of 15 students. They are provided training through the special training programs that are designed and conducted by Himachal Cricket Academy.
The prominent cricket player of India, Yuvraj Singh, has already opened up his Cricket Academy in Himachal Pradesh in association with the Himachal Cricket Association. Harbhajan Singh, prominent spinner of Indian Cricket Team, is also planning to open his Cricket Academy in Himachal Pradesh to train the young talents.
Indira Gandhi Sports Complex Shimla
At the Sports Complex in Shimla, training is provided to the students for Table Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton, Boxing, Taekwando, Judo, and Wrestling. A multi-gym is there for the sportsperson where working out is done. All trainings are offered at a very nominal charge. Players have lodging facilities as well. For the students Rs. 50/- is charged for a year and for non-students Rs. 100 is charged.
Stadiums and Sports Clubs in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has stadiums and playgrounds where practice sessions are organized and matches of state level, national level and international levels are conducted.
Clubs are there in this state where courts and grounds for outdoor games and indoor games rooms are available and thereby sports of all types get promoted in the state.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium Dharamsala
HPCA Stadium is in Dharamsala City of Himachal Pradesh. Many international cricket tournaments are organized at this stadium. This stadium plays a very important role in promoting the development of cricket in the state. Ranji Trophy Matches of the Cricket Team of Himachal Pradesh get organized in this stadium. This stadium is the home stadium for the IPL team of King’s XI Punjab. Recent ODI between India and West Indies has also been played in this stadium (October 2014). The first match played at this stadium was between India and Pakistan in the year 2005. HPCA has also constructed two more stadiums at Nadaun and Hamirpur. Una has a newly constructed cricket ground that provides ample opportunity for the young players to go for long practice hours.
Atal Bihari Bajpayee Cricket Stadium Hamirpur
This stadium in
Hamirpur is located very close to the Palace of King Sansar Chand. It is located close to River Beas. This is also popularly known as Amtar Cricket ground. This stadium got constructed in 8 months time and total expenses came out to be about Rs. 5 crores. The stadium got inaugurated in December 2009.
Cricket Ground Bilaspur
This cricket ground of Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh is also popular known as Lohnu Cricket Ground and is a popular site for domestic matches and practice sessions for the players.
This cricket ground had its first match in 1999 when Under-16 match between Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir was played. In 2001-2002, Ranji Trophy match between Himachal Pradesh and Delhi was played here. In 2002-2003, another Ranji Trophy match between Himachal Pradesh and Hyderabad was played here.
Shilaroo Hockey Stadium Shimla
Shimla, the picturesque tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh boasts the highest Hockey Stadium of Asia, the Shilaroo Hockey Stadium. The camps for junior players of national level are organized at this stadium. The artificial turf of Shilaroo Stadium is built at an altitude of 7500 feet. The artificial Astroturf built in this stadium is fit for playing international level hockey matches. The total cost of the Astroturf is Rs. 4 crores and is set by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare of Himachal Pradesh.
Chail Cricket Ground
One of the highest cricket grounds of India, Chail Cricket Ground is a must to visit place for the visitors. Local cricket matches and practice sessions are organized at this high altitude cricket ground. It is locate in the military cantonment area and has a basket ball court too. Lack of maintenance has caused damages to several parts of this cricket ground.
Ice Skating Club Shimla
Ice Skating Club in Shimla was established in Colonial India in 1920 though playing of ice hockey at this club started much later. This club has been given recognition as a hockey club by International Ice Hockey Federation and equipments like skates and hockey sticks have been donated by IIHF to this club. Regular players and guest both can enjoy playing ice hockey at this oldest open rink in India.
Nodal youth Clubs have been set up in every Panchayat of Himachal Pradesh state and these clubs help in implementing the schemes of Youth Services and Sports Department.
Other sports clubs in the state are Mateshwari Sports Club Sarog, Dharamsala Club House and Manali Club House.
Adventure Sports in Himachal Pradesh
Apart from regular sports played in the state, numerous adventure sports are played in the state. Exciting sports like mountain climbing, mountain biking, mountain cycling, trekking, paragliding, hand-gliding, White Water Rafting, Camping, and Surfing are also quite popular in Himachal Pradesh. Government and the private tour organizations arrange for adventure sports for the interested people.
Also Read: Sports in Hamirpur | Sports in Kullu |
Sports in Shimla