From Neeraj Chopra to PV Sindhu: Indian Athletes get mind-boggling cash rewards after winning medals in Tokyo Olympics
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has set cash prizes of Rs 75 lakh ($100,000 - approx.) for gold medalists and Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh for silver and bronze respectively. However, the state governments announced additional cash benefits to motivate their athletes to medals at Tokyo Olympics.
Let's take a look at the 'mind-boggling' cash rewards these athletes won after making India proud at the Olympics:
Ravi Kumar Dahiya
As per the Indian Olympic Association, Dahiya would receive a cash reward of Rs 40 lakhs after winning silver in the 57 kg category at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
However, the wrestler will also receive a cash price of Rs. 4 crores from his state (Haryana) government.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar Thursday announced a cash award of Rs 4 crore for Tokyo Olympics-2020 silver medal winner Ravi Dahiya. He will also get a Class-I government job and a world-class indoor wrestling stadium shall be constructed at the wrestler’s native village Nahari in the Sonipat district of Haryana.
(Photograph:Twitter)
Mirabai Chanu
Indian weightlifter and silver medalist Chanu Saikhom Mirabai will also receive a cash prize of Rs 40 lakhs from the IOC. But she will also receive a promotion in her job in the Northeast Frontier Railway along with additional Rs 2 crore for her achievement in the Tokyo Olympics.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Tokyo Olympics: PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu exceeded all expectations by becoming the first Indian shuttler to reach consecutive semi-finals in the Olympics.
It is now a recorded fact that she is one of the greatest badminton players of all time India has ever seen.
After becoming a household name due to her heroics at the Rio Olympics, where she secured a first-silver medal on her debut.
PV Sindhu of India crushed China's BJ He in straight games 21-12, 21-to win the bronze medal for India in the women's singles event. She became the first Indian female to win two individual Olympic medals.
(Photograph:AFP)
Indian Hockey Team
Indian men's hockey ended a 41-year medal wait as they clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics after staging a stunning comeback against Germany. As per the IOC, the cash rewards for the players would be Rs 25 lakhs.
However, state governments of the respective players have announced more cash prizes.
The Punjab government announces a cash award of Rs 1 crore each to the Indian men's hockey team players. Punjab had eight players, including skipper Manpreet Singh, in the Indian men's hockey team. The others are Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh and Mandeep Singh.
Haryana, on the other hand, gave Rs 2.5 crore each to Surender Kumar and Sumit Walmiki who were a part of the Indian hockey team. They will also receive Class-II Government jobs.
(Photograph:AFP)
Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain became the first player from Assam to win an Olympics medal in boxing. She won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games. As per IOC, she would receive a cash prize of Rs 25 lakhs. A road was built near her house and the Assamese government had earlier decided to provide Class I government jobs to medal winners of Olympic, Commonwealth, and Asian Games from the state.
(Photograph:PTI)