Madhya Pradesh to give Rs 1 crore reward to Sushil Kumar, Vijay Kumar each

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Government has announced a cash reward of Rs one crore each to Olympic silver medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar and shooter Vijay Kumar and Rs 50 lakh each to the bronze medallists.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here last evening at a function where some sports persons were honoured with the state's 'Shikhar Khel Alankaran 2012' award. The ceremony is held every year on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.

"The government will give the bronze medallist of the Londond Olympics, Saina Nehwal (badminton), Gagan Narang (shooting), Mary Kom (boxing) and Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling) Rs 50 lakh cash award," Chouhan said.

According to him, Madhya Pradesh is ready to adopt the game of hockey in the interest of the nation, especially in view of the Rio Olympics and urged the Centre to give permission in this regard. "We want to adopt hockey so that we can provide proper training and facilities to the players to prepare them for 2016 Olympics," Chouhan said.

Olympic silver medallist Sushil Kumar, who was also present on the occasion, said that he was overwhelmed by the honour given to him on his arrival in Madhya Pradesh and added that his only aim was to win a gold for the country.