Punjab Government Honors ICC Women's World Cup Champions with Cash Awards

The Punjab government celebrated the achievements of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 champions, awarding Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, and Amanjot Kaur with cash prizes. The event also recognized para powerlifter Paramjeet Singh and distributed over ₹32 crore to athletes. The players expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the importance of government initiatives in promoting sports at the grassroots level. With a focus on enhancing sports infrastructure, the Punjab government is committed to fostering a culture of athletic excellence.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2026, 21:29 IST

Recognition for Women's Cricket Team

During a ceremony held in Chandigarh on Sunday, the Punjab government recognized three key players from India's ICC Women's World Cup 2025 winning team: Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, and Amanjot Kaur. Each cricketer was awarded a cash prize of ₹1.5 crore for their significant contributions to the team's historic victory at home last year.

In addition to the cricketers, para powerlifter Paramjeet Singh received ₹55 lakh. The Punjab government distributed over ₹32 crore to a total of 1,070 athletes during this event. Furthermore, 87 exceptional sportspersons were honored with the esteemed Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award for the years 2019 to 2023.

Athletes Share Their Thoughts

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the women's team, expressed her excitement about the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, stating, "The preparations are complete. We are leaving for the tournament tonight." She also appreciated the support from the Punjab government, saying, "It feels very good that the government is supporting us and providing new platforms for sportspersons at the grassroots level."

Harleen Deol echoed these sentiments, noting, "It feels very good, and even when our team won the silver medal during the Commonwealth Games, we were acknowledged the same way."

Amanjot Kaur highlighted the positive impact of the government's initiative, calling it an encouraging step for aspiring athletes in Punjab. She remarked, "This is a very good initiative of the Punjab government. Now, a culture has started in Punjab where the state government supports them." Regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup, she added, "We are hopeful that we will win the trophy."

Punjab's Commitment to Sports Development

The Punjab government is dedicated to enhancing sports infrastructure and youth programs. This commitment includes initiatives like developing village-level playgrounds and allocating a sports budget of ₹1,790 crore.