The State government has showered bonanza on athletes taking part in the 35th National Games to be held at Kerala with a reward of Rs. 7 lakh for the gold medal. Silver and bronze medallists will take home Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh.
Minister for Youth Services and Sports K. Atchannaidu, who took part in the kit distribution programme for the Kerala-bound athletes, said the cash awards announced by the government were highest by any State government. He said teams making podium finish would be given Rs. 10 lakhs, Rs. 8 lakhs and Rs. 6 lakhs.
As many as 187 athletes would take part in athletics, archery, basketball, badminton, boxing, gymnastics, shooting, table tennis, kho kho, kabaddi, weightlifting, swimming, volleyball, triathlon and wrestling. Mr. Naidu said bifurcation of the State had affected the prospects of the contingent but expressed confidence of a good show by the athletes.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said that efforts would be made to develop Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada and Brahmanada Reddy Stadium at Guntur as international stadiums with public-private partnership.
He said Kakinada MP Thota Narasimham will be the chef de mission of the contingent while Dronacharya and Arjuna awardee A. Ramana Rao and K.P. Rao will be the deputy chief de missions.
SAAP managing director Chakravathy, MLA Gadde Ram Mohan, Zilla Parishad chairperson Gadde Anuradha, District Sports Development Officer Ramakrishna, Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association ad hoc chairman Pavan Reddy and others attended the function.
ADVERTISEMENT