Chandigarh, August 7: Two Haryana lads today scripted history in Tokyo Olympics by winning Gold and Bronze for India. Hailing from Panipat district, Neeraj Chopra, today made the country and his state proud after winning gold medal in Men's Javelin Throw, while, Bajrang Punia, from Jhajjar district, bagged bronze after registering a historic win of 8-0 in freestyle wrestling.
While addressing media persons after watching the match at his residence in Chandigarh here today, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while congratulating both the athletes announced cash rewards of Rs. 6 crore and Rs.2.5 crore for the gold and bronze medal winners respectively. Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh was also present on this occasion.
“Apart from cash reward of Rs.6 crore, the State Government has decided to offer the position of Head at Centre of Excellence for Athletics to be constructed in Panchkula to Neeraj Chopra under the provision of giving government job as per State’s Sports Policy,” announced Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that Bajrang Punia would be given a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore for winning bronze. He will also be given a government job as per the provision made in State's Sports Policy, said the Chief Minister.
He further announced that both Neeraj Chopra and Bajrang Punia would also be provided a plot of HSVP at concessional rates.
"To encourage the young and budding players hailing from Bajrang Punia's village Khudan, district Jhajjar, a Wrestling Indoor Stadium with modern world-class facilities would be constructed by the State Government", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Entire Haryana is proud of the good performance of the State's athletes in the Olympics, he added.
He further said that on August 13, the State Government has planned a grand felicitation ceremony to honour all these state players who have made India and Haryana proud. The ceremony would be held in Indradhanush Stadium in Panchkula, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that while promoting sports facilities in the state, the state would be made a sports hub. Despite having only 2 per cent of the country's population, in the Olympic Games about 25 per cent of participants are from Haryana. Out of 120 players, 30 are from Haryana, which is a matter of pride.
The Chief Minister said that winning and losing is not important in sports, but playing with passion for the country is important. Sports facilities will be promoted in all the rural stadiums of Haryana, he added.
Responding to a question regarding renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by the Central Government, Sh. Manohar Lal said that this move would encourage the young players.
Central Government has renamed Khel Ratna Award after the player who has achieved a distinguished achievement and this move would certainly give a good message among the budding players.