AP Announces Rs 7 Cr For Olympic Gold Medalists

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced hefty increase in cash awards to Olympiads and those participating and winning prizes in the Asiads and declared that sports policy of Andhra Pradesh will be the best of all the States in the country.

Holding a review meeting at the State Secretariat on the sports policy being adopted by Andhra Pradesh, he opined that everyone will express interest over sports if encouraging incentives are extended to those who win various kinds of medals. All the sports persons should be given proper recognition and respect, he felt.

The meeting resolved to increase the cash incentive for Olympic gold medalists from Rs 75 lakh to Rs 7 crore and for silver medalists from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore. Those getting bronze medal will be given Rs 3 crore instead of existing Rs 30 lakh. The Chief Minister said that those who are taking part in the Olympics should be given a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh each.

Similarly, those who win gold medals in Asian Games will henceforth be paid Rs 4 crore, for silver medalists Rs 2 crore each and for bronze medalists Rs 1 crore each while those who take part in the Asian Games will have to be paid Rs 10 lakh each as incentive, the Chief Minister said.