Telangana honours athletes and para-athletes with cash incentives on National Sports Day

Telangana Sports Minister Vakati Srihari presented cash incentives to athletes and para-athletes, launched the Guru Vandana insurance scheme for coaches, and honoured contributors to sports during National Sports Day celebrations in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Telangana Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Vakati Srihari, said that the sports fraternity should move forward with the inspiration of the legendary Dhyan Chand, who gave everlasting motivation to Indian sports.

The Minister said that with the encouragement being provided by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Telangana should not only host Olympic-level sports but also ensure that athletes from the state bring home Olympic medals.

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“With the support of the new sports policy, I hope that Telangana athletes will showcase their talent and bring pride to the state,” he said.

Sports Authority Chairman Shiv Sena Reddy said that Telangana had gained national recognition for organising National Sports Day celebrations on a grand scale for nine days, something no other state had done before.

The SATG Chairman said that within just one year, Telangana had conducted numerous sports events, announced a sports policy, and given high importance to sports, earning appreciation from sports leaders across the country.

State Government Sports Advisor A P Jitender Reddy mentioned that on the occasion of Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary, Telangana organised unique and innovative programmes not only in Hyderabad but also across all district headquarters under the supervision of the Sports Department.

The Sports Minister launched the “Guru Vandana” insurance scheme, designed by the Telangana Sports Authority to support coaches during times of difficulty.

On this occasion, several coaches who trained medal-winning Telangana athletes were also honoured, including:

P Ramakrishna (Kayaking & Canoeing Coach)

M Praveen Kumar (Powerlifting Coach)

Niteshwari Devi (Coach)

Ravikumar (Handball Coach)

Khadeer (Roller & Ice Skating Coach)

M Srinivas (Athletics Coach)

Anup Kumar Yama (Arjuna Awardee, Skating Coach)

Additionally, Sports Authority officials, staff, and organisations that contributed to sports development such as Future Olympians, Hyderabad Runners, and Celebration Makers were felicitated by the Minister.

The programme was attended by Sports Authority MD Dr Soni Baladevi, Telangana Olympic Association Secretary Mallareddy, Treasurer Satish Goud, representatives of various sports associations, Deputy Directors of Sports Authority, stadium administrators, coaches, staff, and a large number of athletes.

Cash incentives were presented to the following:

Chikita Taniparthi, Under-21 World Archery gold medal – Rs 5 lakh

Shruti (Powerlifting) – Rs 5 lakh

Isha Singh (Shooting) – Rs 4 lakh

Thudi Sri Chandan (Powerlifting) – Rs 5 lakh

T Dilip, Fielding Coach of the Indian Cricket Team – Rs 5 lakh

Roller Skating (20th Asian Championship, South Korea) medal winners – Tejesh, Kanthi Sri, Shreya Murali, Enduru Akanksha, Chalancharla Johith, Jia Jayesh Patel, Rakshit Murali, Enduru Sanchita Choudhary, and Prateek – Rs 5 lakh each

M Sreeshank, winner at Junior World Roll Ball Championship (Kenya) – Rs 5 lakh

Makhan Saurav Singh and R Kavya Sri (Rural Skating) – Rs 4 lakh each

Mokshit Ram Reddy – Rs 2 lakh

Pravallika, participant in Women’s Softball Asia Cup – Rs 2 lakh

Nayana Sri (Roller Skating) – Rs 75,000

Leela Prasad Raju (Shooting) – Rs 75,000

Karnika (Shooting) – Rs 50,000

Shivanshik (Chess) – Rs 50,000

Akash (Chess) – Rs 75,000

Cash incentives for para-athletes:

Gautam Yadav (Para Taekwondo) – Rs 5 lakh

Bhagya (Para Throwball) – Rs 2 lakh

Vijaya Deepika (Para Table Tennis) – Rs 75,000

Another Para Table Tennis athlete – Rs 50,000

K Shiva (Para Taekwondo) – Rs 4 lakh

Lokeshwari (Para Athletics) – Rs 3 lakh

Krishnaveni (Para Taekwondo) – Rs 3 lakh

M Lingappa (Taekwondo) – Rs 25,000

Sai Prabhat (Para Karate) – Rs 75,000