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.
“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
