Chamba's Seema Shines with New National Record in 25,000-Metre Race

Seema's Remarkable Achievement in Athletics

Subhash Mahajan
Chamba: Seema, known as the “Golden Girl” from Reta village in Chamba district, has once again made her mark by winning a gold medal and setting a new national record at a prestigious athletics event hosted by Tata Steel in Kolkata.

True to her nickname “Udanpari”, Seema showcased an exceptional performance in the 25,000-metre race, finishing with a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 04 seconds. This impressive achievement not only earned her the top spot but also established a new national benchmark in the event, placing Chamba and Himachal Pradesh prominently on the global athletics stage.

For her record-setting run, Seema received a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, along with an additional Rs 1 lakh bonus for breaking the record, bringing her total reward to Rs 4 lakh.

After her victory, Seema expressed gratitude towards her family and coach for their unwavering support. She also acknowledged the significant role played by official pacer Anish Chandel from Bilaspur, whose guidance was instrumental in achieving her record time.

In the wake of her historic accomplishment, Manoj Kumar Manu, a member of the Chamba zila parishad, congratulated Seema and urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to extend equal recognition to sports beyond cricket. He emphasized that athletes from various disciplines, including athletics, deserve the same honor as cricketers, as consistent acknowledgment can motivate young athletes to strive for excellence.

Manu also called on the state government to expedite the release of Seema’s pending rewards, which amount to approximately Rs 35 lakh and have been awaiting clearance in Shimla. He stressed that timely recognition and incentives for victorious athletes would significantly encourage emerging talent throughout the state.