Congratulating Haryana’s paralympians for their exemplary performance in Tokyo Paralympics 2020, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday complimented the State Government for taking several policy initiatives to facilitate the sportspersons.
Naidu was addressing a gathering in Gurugram during the felicitation ceremony of Haryana’s medallists and participants in Tokyo Paralympics 2020. The Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar presided over the function.
Praising the Haryana Government for supporting and promoting the sportspersons in a big way in the state, the Vice President said that this example would also inspire other states for the same. Urging the youth to focus on their physical fitness, he underlined the importance of eating habits and living in harmony with nature.
During the ceremony, the Vice President and Chief Minister distributed prize money of more than Rs 27 crores among 19 medallists and participants of Haryana in Tokyo Paralympics.
Recognising that these achievements were not easy, the Vice President mentioned that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were organized in very unusual circumstances. There were miscellaneous restrictions on the players. And, these achievements of the players in such unusual circumstances are even more spectacular. Athletes’ achievements in the Paralympics will create a new sporting culture in the country, he added.
He also said that the performance of Team India in this year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has been excellent. The country has won the maximum number of 19 medals in various sports at Paralympics, which includes 5 gold medals, 8 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals. A total of 6 medals have been won by 5 players from Haryana, which includes 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
CM announces rewards for coaches
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the coaches, who groom the medallists, also deserve a reward. Therefore, the State Government has decided that in the Olympics and Paralympics, Rs 20 lakh will be given to the coach of the gold medallist, Rs 15 lakh to the coach of the silver medallist and Rs 12.50 lakh to the coach of the bronze medallist.
The Chief Minister said that the Paralympians are a source of inspiration for the society. Everyone should take inspiration from these players that while fighting the challenges in life, one can achieve a milestone on the strength of their talent, he said.
Khattar further said that Paralympic bhawan is being constructed on six acres in Faridabad. The government will develop it as a Paralympic Sports Center with a hostel facility, he said.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana is the first state in the country to give maximum cash prizes to sportspersons who have won medals in Olympics and Paralympics.
During the ceremony, gold medallist Manish Narwal and Sumit Antil were given prize money of Rs 6 crore each. Similarly, silver medallist Yogesh Kathuniya, got Rs 4 crore, Singhraj Adhana (silver and bronze medallist in men’s shooting) got Rs 4 crore and Rs. 2.5 crore and bronze medalist Harvinder Singh was given a cash prize of Rs 2.5 crore.
In addition, Tarun Dhillon, Navdeep Singh ( who finished fourth) and Vinod Kumar, (who missed the bronze medal due to technical reasons), were given Rs 50 lakh each. Similarly, Rs 15 lakh each was distributed as incentive to the participating players, Aruna Tanwar, Deepak Saini, Rahul Jakhar, Jaideep Deswal, Ranjit Bhati, Rampal, Dharambir Nain, Amit Kumar Saroha, Tekchand, Arvind Malik and Ekta Bhayan.
Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw Neeraj Chopra, wrestling silver medalist Ravi Kumar Dahiya and bronze medallist men’s hockey team player Sumit also attended the ceremony.
