The Odisha government has recently announced an incentive of Rs 60 lakh for the six sportswomen, who had been qualified for the Rio Olympics. Four Indian hockey players with the sprinters Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda would also be awarded Rs 10 lakh rupees each.
“The special cash award will further help them to prepare better for the Games. I wish all the six players the best and hope they return with flying colours,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
6 Rio qualifiers to get Rs 60 Lakh incentives by Odisha Government
The players who will be given an award are sprinter Dutee Chand, who is representing India in 100-metre and also Srabani Nanda in the 200-metre women’s events, and four hockey players Deep Grace Ekka, Lilima Minz, Sunita Lakra and Namita Toppo.
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has also been directed by the chief minister to further transfer the officially announced amount into the players’ accounts. Dutee comes from a poor family from Gopalpur village in Jajpur, while Srabani comes from the Kandhamal district which is dominated by the tribal people. Whereas, the other four hockey players belong to Sundargarh, which is a tribal area as well.
The state government has also doubled the awards from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and that the Olympians participating in the individual events will get 1 lakh each.
