Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced cash rewards for sportspersons from the State winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
While a gold medal winner will get a cash reward of Rs 6 crore, a silver medal winner will get a cash reward of Rs 4 crore and a bronze medal will get a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore, said an official press release.
Further, each sportsperson from the State who has qualified to participate at the Tokyo Olympics shall get a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh for preparing for the games, the release added.
The Chief Minister made the announcement while speaking to Olympians of the State through virtual mode.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that for every sportsperson Olympics is their life’s biggest dream.
Congratulating Olympians Dutee Chand, Pramod Bhagat, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas, the Chief Minister said, “You have turned out as role models for the youth of Odisha. You have made your family and us proud”.
“Through your hard work, sincerity and discipline you will surely win medals,” he added.
Participating in the programme, Sports Minister Tushar Kanti Behera conveyed his best wishes to the sportspersons and hoped that their success in the sphere of sports shall make Odisha proud.
All sportspersons said that they will give their best performance at the Olympics and bring laurels for the State and the country. They thanked the State government for its support and the Chief Minister for his best wishes.
Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian spoke to the sportspersons and enquired about their preparations for the Olympics and their needs for the same.
While Principal Secretary, Sports Vishal Deb read out the welcome address Special Secretary R Vineel Krishna gave the vote of thanks.
Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena and Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of various departments were present.