Haryana 'first' to give award money to Paris Olympics medalists

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 19

Haryana has become perhaps the first state in the country to transfer award money to its Paris Olympics medalists.

The award money was transferred to the bank accounts of the medalists well before the imposition of the model code of conduct for the October 1 Assembly polls in Haryana on August 16.

The beneficiaries included Vinesh Phogat, who was assured of all incentives accruing to a silver medalist by the state government even after being disqualified in the 50 kg wrestling finals for being overweight.

However, the ceremonial function to felicitate the medal winners and participants, which was scheduled for August 17, was put off in the backdrop of the Imposition of model code of conduct on August 16, sources said.

Haryana awards a maximum of Rs 6 crore to gold medal winner, Rs 4 crore to silver medalist and Rs 2.5 crore for bronze medalist as per its much-touted sports policy.

As many as 25 sportspersons from Haryana participated in the Paris Olympics with seven players--four in individual sports and three team sports (hockey) winning medals for the country.

While Manu Bhakar pocketed Rs 5 crore for winning two bronze medals, Neeraj Chopra got a cash prize of Rs 4 crore for the silver medal.

Sarabjot Singh (shooting), Aman Sehrawat (wrestling) and Sanjay Singh, Sumit Kumar and Abhishek Nain, all hockey players, got Rs 2.5 crore each, while Vinesh was given Rs 4 crore.

Wrestlers Ritika Hooda, Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya and Anshu Malik, shooters Ramita Jindal, Rhythm Sangwan, Anish Bhanwala and Raiza Dhillon, boxers Amit Panghal, Nishant Dev, Preeti Panwar and Jasmine Lamboria, athlete Kiran Pahal, tennis player Sumit Nagal, rower Balraj Panwar, archer Bhajan Kaur and golfer Diksha Dagar got Rs 15 lakh for participating in the Olympics.