Bhubaneswar: Aimed at encouraging the players of Indian team who bagged a bronze medal winning against a spirited Germany at the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here, the State government awarded Rs 10 lakh cash prize to each member of the winning team and Rs 5 lakh to support staff.
CM Naveen Patnaik congratulated them while giving away the cheque to the winning members. "I am delighted that the Indian Hockey team has won the bronze medal. I congratulate all of them. The State government is presenting each of them with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to encourage them in future," Patnaik said.
Patnaik also tweeted about the cash award and appreciated the players for their brilliant performance.
Odisha Sports Minister Chandrasarathi Behera thanked the audience who encouraged the players from the gallery and made the event a success.
On the occasion, Odisha Governor SC Jamir, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other dignitaries of the sports fraternity were present.
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who is also here to watch the matches, did not announce any incentives for the bronze medallists. He said that incentives are provided under the sports policy for nurturing the talent of players.
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He said that the union government has revamped Khelo India aiming at impacting the entire sporting ecosystem, with wide-ranging interventions.
He said under this scheme, the government will provide a scholarship to 1,000 talented youngsters across various sports disciplines.
Each sportsperson selected under this scheme will receive an annual scholarship of Rs 5 lakh for eight consecutive years.
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India clinched the bronze medal after winning 2-1in the nail biting match against Germany in the playoff for the third position in the Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Kalinga Stadium here.