The medallists at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics were in for an additional bonanza as the Delhi Golf Club announced cash awards totalling Rs 50 lakh for all medal winners from the 2016 Games.
DGC president Rajesh Dhingra said that the cash prizes for the gold medallists are Rs 10 lakhs, Rs 7.5 lakh for silver and Rs 5 lakh for bronze.
In the Olympics India bagged two medals with shuttler P.V. Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik picking up silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the Paralympics, India clinched four medals, including two gold. Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia and high jumper Thangavelu Mariyappan brought home the yellow metal, while shot putter Deepa Malik and high jumper Varun Bhati won silver and bronze medals respectively.
Dhingra said he believes that achievements in the biggest sports arena in the world need to be recognised and rewarded by as many corporate houses, individuals and sports bodies as possible.
Dhingra, a former secretary of the Sports Authority of India said: "I hope that when India's golfers perform at the highest level then they too will get felicitated by other organisations. This will help raise the profile of sports people all over the country."
In addition, the DGC has also announced a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for Pullela Gopichand's Badminton academy in Hyderabad.
Sindhu thanked the Delhi Golf Club saying "every award is special for me and further motivates me to win for my country".
--IANS
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