Shimla, May 27
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday appreciated the upcoming ‘Shimla Cricket Carnival 2026’ and announced that he would attend the tournament’s closing ceremony on June 13.
Members of the Himalayan Sports and Cultural Youth Club Shimla called on the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat and briefed him about the cricket carnival scheduled to be held from June 1 to June 13 at the Police Ground Bharari
Organisers said the event aims to spread awareness against drug abuse under the theme “Quit Drugs – Play Sports”. More than 1,000 players from all 34 wards of the Shimla Municipal Corporation are expected to participate in the tournament.
In a unique environmental initiative, the organisers announced that one tree would be planted for every dot ball bowled during the tournament.
The organisers also said that, for the first time in Shimla, day-night cricket matches under floodlights would be organised at the Bharari ground.
The carnival has been dedicated to former members of the club Sanjeev Thakur, Amit Thakur, Neeraj Thakur and Avinash Negi who lost their lives in the Shiv Bawdi disaster in 2023.
The organisers said the event would help channelise the energy of youth towards sports while promoting environmental awareness and social responsibility.
