Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan provided financial incentive of Rs 8 lakh in cheque to internationally acclaimed Odisha chess player Saina Salonika on behalf of the ONGC at a programme held here on Saturday.
Besides, Pradhan also felicitated two other Odia athletes, Sneha Soren and Juli Dalabehera, with shawls for winning gold medals in sub-junior and junior weightlifting events, respectively, at the Common Wealth Games.
“There is no dearth of sports talent in Odisha. If supported, children of common Odia families can be good sportsmen and bring glory to the State,” said Pradhan.