Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday announced a prize money of Rs 2 crore to the players who would win gold medals, Rs 1 crore to the players for silver medals and Rs 75 lakh to the players for bronze medals in the Tokyo Olympics.

The CM interacted with State archers Deepika Kumari, Komolika Bari, Ankita Bhagat and Coach Purnima Mahto alongwith Indian Women’s Hockey players from Jharkhand Salima Tete and Nikki Pradhan. He greeted the archers for their distinguished performance in the World Archery championship and wished luck to the women hockey players for Tokyo Olympics.

Soren also announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh to archer Deepika Kumari for winning the gold medal for the country in the Archery World Cup held in Paris and participating in the Tokyo Olympics and winning the gold medal in the recurve team event in the World Cup Archery. He also announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh each to Ankita Bhagat and Komolika Bari and a reward of Rs 12 lakh to coach Purnima Mahato.

The CM said an incentive amount of Rs 5 lakh is being given by the Government to the players of the State if they become Olympic participants.

Hockey players Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete, who were selected from Jharkhand to represent the Indian hockey team in the Olympics starting from July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, will also be given an incentive amount of Rs 5 lakh each.

The CM said all the players and coaches playing outside the country would be insured for Rs 15 lakh, the premium of which would be paid by the Government.

While congratulating Deepika Kumari and her husband Atanu Das, Soren said that winning a gold medal in the Archery World Cup is a matter of pride for the country.

He said Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhagat and Komolika Bari have brought laurels to the country along with Jharkhand. Addressing the archery player Deepika Kumari, the CM said that I give double wishes to you. The daughters of Jharkhand have raised the prestige of the country in the world.

While addressing archers Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhagat, Komolika Bari, hockey players Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete, the CM said that all of you have made yourselves on the strength of hard practice, determination, true dedication and hard work amidst limited resources. While encouraging these players, the CM said that I am sure that in future also you will perform better by showing your talent.

Even in the global pandemic, Jharkhand’s steps are moving forward in many areas. Winning medals by you players is a better example of this.

In the coming time, taking inspiration from all the players, other players will also illuminate the name of the state and the country on the world stage.

The CM praised and congratulated Archery Coach Purnima Mahato. He said that the role of coach is always important for any player to perform well.

In his address, the Chief Minister also mentioned Chanchla, the emerging player in the field of wrestling from Ormanjhi and said that the State Government would help Chanchla in every possible way. Chanchala will not be allowed to lack resources in any way for this purpose by winning medals in the field of wrestling.

Archery players Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhagat, Komolika Bari and coach Purnima Mahto shared their experience in the Archery World Cup held in Paris before the CM, including the preparation of Indian players, till winning the gold medal.

The CM discussed the preparations for Tokyo Olympics with hockey players Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete and encouraged them. He also wished archery player Deepika Kumari and hockey players Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete for their better performance for the Tokyo Olympics.

State Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Hafizul Hasan Ansari boosted the morale of the players on the occasion. Secretary of Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Pooja Singhal, Director of Sports Zeeshan Qamar and other officials were present from the Chief Minister’s residential office.