Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday handed over monetary awards to Delhi’s Olympians for making the country proud at the highest level.
Mr. Kejriwal honoured Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia with a cheque of ₹1 crore while Olympians Manika Batra, Deepak Kumar and coach Shallaz Kumar were awarded ₹10 lakh each.
The CM also handed over Paralympic bronze medallist Sharad Kumar his letter of appointment as an Assistant Director in the Education Department at the event, which was organised by the Directorate of Education and Sports.
“I congratulate all the sportspersons who have brought laurels to our country and our State. This ceremony is not just a way of honouring your contribution but also a way of acknowledging how honoured we are to host their presence,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
An inspiration
“I sincerely pray to God that you continue to perform and inspire our youth. Every child sitting at home today looks at sportspersons like you and takes up a sport themselves. One successful player like you can inspire lakhs of children to enter sports in India,” he also said.
Paralympian Sharad thanked the Delhi government. “This feels like a due recognition. This is a result of 15 years of hard work and now there are many other para athletes in line to become a success story and receive this honour,” he said.
Mr. Punia praised the sports policy. “I moved to Delhi in 2008, and I’ve been representing the State ever since. The Delhi government’s policy to help players advance is simple and strong: work hard, and we’ll stand by you,” he said.
Table-tennis Olympian, Manika Batra said that all players strive for such motivation irrespective of how many medals they win.
Deepak Kumar said: “I want to thank the Delhi government for the love and care they have showered on us. I know for a fact that the Chief Minister sees an Olympian in every aspirant.”
