Arunachal Pradesh Increases prize money for Olympic medallists, introduces initiatives to promote sports
By India Blooms News Service Jun 10, 2023
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced a significant increase in the prize money for Olympic medalists hailing from the state. The state government aims to inspire young athletes to give their best and bring glory to their region.
Under the new scheme, the prize money for gold medalists will be raised from 3 crore to 5 crore rupees, silver medalists will receive 3 crore rupees instead of the previous 2 crore, and bronze medalists will be awarded 2 crore rupees, up from 1 crore, reported EastMojo.
This substantial increase in rewards is expected to motivate athletes to strive for excellence on the international stage.
CM Khandu emphasized that the state government is committed to providing the right training and platform for talented individuals to showcase their abilities. To further bolster the support for sportspersons, the government has introduced job reservation quotas.
Ten percent of positions in the police force and 5 percent in all other state government departments will be reserved for meritorious athletes.
In addition to these initiatives, the state cabinet has recently approved the establishment of the U-14 Indrajit Namchoom Annual Football League as a recurring event to identify young football talent at an early age.
Furthermore, the government will launch a pioneering initiative called Football for School in 200 schools across the state. This program aims to promote the sport and provide training opportunities for budding footballers aged between 6 and 13.
Highlighting the importance of perseverance and dedication, Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged youngsters to embrace the virtue of sacrificing comfort in their pursuit of greatness.
He expressed confidence in the abundance of sporting talent within Arunachal Pradesh and emphasized the need to nurture and groom young athletes to fulfill their potential.