The Indian medals winners in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games were today felicitated by the government in the presence of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar for their impressive show in the multi-sport event at a star-studded function here.
India had won 64 medals (15, 30, 19) in the July 23 to August 3 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Sports Ministry felicitated them by presenting a momento and prize money cheque at a function at Vigyan Bhawan here.
The complete Indian contingent of 231, including the athletes, coaches and support staff were invited to attend the function.
The medal winners received Rs 20 lakh (for gold winners), Rs 10 lakh (for silver winners) and Rs 6 lakh (for bronze winners). Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Tendulkar gave away the memento and the prize-money to the athletes.
Most of the medal winners, including the likes of Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Gagan Narang and Vijender Singh, were among those who turned up to receive the awards.
Star shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won gold in Glasgow in men's 10m air rifle event, and United States-based Vikas Gowda, who won a gold in men's discus throw, were the prominent athletes who missed the felicitation function.
Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, BJP Members of Parliament Rajyavardhan Rathore and Anurag Thakur were also present on the occasion.
Sonowal congratulated the assembled athletes for the impressive show in Glasgow.
"The Glasgow Commonwealth Games provided a stiff competition to the Indian athletes. In spite of the stiff competition, the Indian contingent came up with flying colours," he said.
