Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here today that the State Government has substantially increased the prize money for medal winners in various international championships. He said that the prize money for gold medal winners in the Olympics, Winter Olympics, and Paralympics championship has been raised from Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 5 crore. Similarly, silver medalists would now receive Rs. 3 crore instead of Rs. 2 crore and bronze medalists would be awarded Rs. 2 crore instead of Rs. 1 crore.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that for athletes excelling in the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, the prize money for gold medal winners has seen a remarkable increase from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 4 crore. Silver medalists would now be rewarded with Rs. 2.50 crore instead of Rs. 30 lakh, while bronze medalists would receive Rs. 1.50 crore instead of Rs. 20 lakh. Moreover, sports persons achieving glory in the Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games would also benefit from the revised prize scheme. Gold medal winners would now receive Rs. 3 crore instead of Rs. 50 lakh, silver medalists would be awarded with Rs. 2 crore instead of Rs. 30 lakh, and bronze medalists would now get Rs. 1 crore instead of Rs. 20 lakh, he added.
The Chief Minister said that this enhancement in prize money reflects the State government’s commitment to promote sports and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of athletes representing the state at the international level. He said that the new sports policy of the State Government is aimed at recognizing and encouraging sporting excellence and would ultimately contribute to the overall development of sports in the state. This move would not only boost morale but also attract more talented individuals to pursue excellence in sports activities.