Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma gave cash prizes, amounting to more than Rs 81 lakh, to 231 state athletes.
Seventy-three athletes were awarded for Olympic disciplines and 158 people were awarded for non-Olympic sports disciplines.
Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting at the U Soso Tham auditorium here, Sangma said the congratulations program is a way to thank the athletes for their achievements.
“This is a token of appreciation for the hard work you have done and for the laurels and various medals you have won for yourself and the associations representing the state,” he said.
The government understands the challenges the athletes face, while also recognizing the opportunities that lie in the sport and the need to do more to promote and give them the opportunity to excel, Sangma said.
There are major policy issues to address and large areas of infrastructure requirements to be put in place, he said.
“I am pleased to inform you that the state government’s sports policy has tried to allay all these concerns,” he added.
The state sports department had announced a cash reward of Rs 75 lakh for an athlete who won gold in the Olympics, Rs 50 lakh for silver and Rs 30 lakh for bronze.
The winning podiums in world cups will take home Rs 30 lakh, Rs 20 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. In the national games, Rs 2 lakhs, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh are given for wrapping gold, silver and bronze medals.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh and top officials from the State Olympic Association attended the program.
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