To encourage the playing spirit of winners at the
Asian Games from the Indian Armed Forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
announced cash prizes of Rs 25 lakh for Gold medalists and Rs 15 lakh for
Silver medalists on Tuesday.
Those who bagged bronze will be given Rs 10 lakh each,
he said while addressing Asian games champions at the Indian Airforce
Auditorium in Delhi.
“In recent Asian Games, we have won a total of 107
medals. Last time, in the 2018 Asian Games, we had won 70 medals. If we look at
this journey from 70 medals to 107 medals, in terms of growth, we have seen an
increase of about 50 per cent. If we look at the number of medals, we may still
be behind three countries, but if we look at our growth rate, then this 50 per
cent increase is a big thing in itself,” he said.
The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, is also making efforts on a war footing to develop sports
culture in Bharat.
“Bharat is taking steps forward to host the Olympic
Games in 2036. I have full confidence that with the support of the Indian Government,
our athletes will take Bharat to the top in the medal tally on the basis of
their hard work, dedication and passion,” he said.
“The people of our Army have always outshine in
sports. I think it’s because that’s the character of a soldier. Be it their
duty or their performance, their behaviour is characterized by dedication,
discipline, hard work and the desire to do something for their nation, which
works equally well in both the playground and the battlefield. This quality in
him makes him a hero on the battlefield as well as in the playground,” he said.
These same virtues of his are also helping in bringing
medals for India in sports. That’s why he says that within a soldier, there is
a player, and within a player, there is definitely a soldier,” added the
Defence Minister.
ANI
