Odisha enhances prize money for sports persons

In its bid to encourage sports personalities of the state, the Odisha government today doubled the amount of cash award for winners in international events.
"Odisha government has decided to double the amount of cash prize for sportspersons from the state in the international events like Olympics," a press release issued by the Chief Minister's office said.
Any sportsperson of the state winning a gold medal in such competitions would be given a cash award of Rs 1 crore while silver and bronze medalists would be given Rs 60 lakh and Rs 40 lakh respectively, the release said.
The central government presently gives Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh and Rs 20 lakh cash prize for gold, silver and bronze medal winners in induvidual events.

Similarly, while the central government has provision of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for gold, silver and bronze medalists respecively in the World Cup, World Championship, Asiad Games and Commonwealth Games, the state government today decided to double the cash prize for the winners from the state.
While the prize money of the central government for youth Olympics, junior Youth World Championship and World Cup is Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, Odisha decided to double the amount for the sportspersons from the state.

The prize money for sub-junior World Cup and World Championship would also be doubled, the release said adding that the new amount to be effective from this year's Commonwelath Games.

"We feel that sports personalities from the state would be encouraged by the new cash prize announced by the govenrment," said state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi.
Odisha athletes have been performing better in events like hockey, football, weightlifting, athletics, rowing and chess.