Haryana has maximum contribution to the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics in Brazil. Twenty-one sportspersons from the state would participate in the Olympics,” said Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij on Thursday.
The country is sending its strongest ever contingent with more than 100 sportspersons to the Rio Olympics 2016.
Anil Vij while talking to the mediapersons said that Haryana Government would honour the sportspersons, who would perform well in the Olympics. Such sportspersons would be honoured with cash prize and a government job as per the state sports policy, said the Minister.
For the first time, three Indian women wrestlers namely Sakshi Malik, Babita Phogat and Vinesh Phogat have made to Olympics and all three belong to Haryana. Among 21 sportspersons from Haryana, 12 are women.
The 16-member women’s hockey squad includes six from the state. Apart from this, two are athletics and one is in swimming. Discus thrower Seema Anilt Punia will compete in her third Olympics and quarter miler Nirmala Sheron will debut in Rio Olympics. Gurgaon’s Shivani Kataria will represent the country in swimming.
Ace wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and athlete Dharambir Singh from Haryana would also participate in the Olympics.
The previous edition of the Summer Games in london featured 16 players from Hayrana, including only five women.
In its sports policy, the Haryana Government had hiked the cash award for Olympic/Paralympic gold medal winners to Rs 6 crore from the previous Rs 5 crore. Rs 4 crore and Rs 2.5crore was announced for silver and bronze winners respectively.