In its bid to encourage sports personalities of the state, the Odisha government on Wednesday doubled the amount of cash award for winners in international events.
"Odisha government has decided to double the amount of cash prize for sportspersons from the state in the international events like Olympics," said a press release issued by the Chief Minister's office.
"Any sportsperson of the state winning a gold medal in such competitions would be given a cash award of Rs 1 crore while silver and bronze medalists would be given Rs 60 lakh and Rs 40 lakh respectively," the release added.
The central government presently gives Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh and Rs 20 lakh cash prize for gold, silver and bronze medal winners in individual events.
Similarly, while the central government has a provision of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for gold, silver and bronze medalists in the World Cup, World Championship, Asiad Games and Commonwealth Games respectively, the state government on Wednesday decided to double the cash prize for winners from the state.
The prize money for sub-junior World Cup and World Championship would also be doubled, with the new amount set to be effective from the 2014 Commonwelath Games, added the report.
"We feel that sports personalities from the state would be encouraged by the new cash prize announced by the govenrment," said state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi.
Odisha's athletes have been performing well in events like hockey, football, weightlifting, athletics, rowing and chess recently.
