Rs 60 lakh Special Incentives For Olympic Qualifiers

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced to provide Rs 60 lakh special incentives to six sportspersons of the state, who will represent India in Rio Olympics 2016.

The Chief Minister has directed Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to provide Rs 10 lakh to each player, said a statement from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Patnaik said the special incentives would help the players during their preparation for the Olympics.

Notably, ace sprinters Srabani Nanda and Dutee Chand have qualified for Rio Olympics. Besides, four women hockey players from Odisha Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Sunita Lakra have found their place in the Indian Women’s hockey team for the Olympics.

The Chief Minister also directed the Sports Department  to increase the cash incentives for Olympic qualified sportspersons. He directed to increase the cash incentives to Rs 5 lakh for both group and individual events.

Earlier, it was Rs 50,000 for Group event and Rs 1 lakh for Individual event, said the statement.

Recently, Dutee Chand in an interview with IANS had pleaded the state government for running shoes. It is believed that the Chief Minister took the decision following the interview.