2024-09-11 02:13:33
New Delhi: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday announced cash awards for Indian medal winners at the recently concluded Paris Paralympic Games, with gold medal winners getting Rs 75 lakh, silver medal winners Rs 50 lakh and bronze medal winners Rs 30 lakh. Players who win medals in mixed team events, like archer Sheetal Devi, will get Rs 22.5 lakh.
The Sports Minister made this announcement at a grand ceremony organized to felicitate the medal winners here. Mandaviya also promised full support and facilities to para athletes to win more medals in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
What did Mansukh Mandaviya say?
He said, ‘The country is moving ahead in Paralympics and para sports. From 4 medals in 2016, India won 19 medals in Tokyo, 29 medals in Paris and finished 18th.’ Mandaviya said, ‘We will provide all the facilities to all our para players so that we can win more medals and gold medals in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.’ India concluded its historic campaign at the Paris Paralympics with 29 medals including seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals which is the country’s best performance in the history of the competition. India also crossed the 50 medal mark in the history of Paralympic Games with its brilliant performance. The Paralympic medal winners were given a rousing welcome by hundreds of fans with garlands and sweets on their return home on Tuesday.
Harvinder Singh was happy with this warm welcome
Archer Harvinder Singh, who is pursuing a PhD in economics from Punjab University, was overwhelmed by the welcome. His legs were damaged due to the side effects of dengue treatment in childhood. He became the first Indian archer to win gold at the Paralympics in Paris after becoming the country’s first medallist in the sport with a bronze medal in Tokyo three years ago. He said, “I like to keep myself busy. It helps me concentrate, the mind wanders less. Anyone who feels troubled or lost can take inspiration from para players.”