Congratulating Sakshi Malik for winning first medal in the Rio Olympics, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the Uttar Pradesh government would honour her with Rani laxmibai Award.
"Sakshi would be honoured by UP government with Rani laxmibai Award for making the country proud by winning the first Olympic medal in wrestling," Yadav said during a Raksha Bandhan programme held at his official residence here on Thursday.
Sakshi Malik became the first Indian medal winner in Rio Olympics when she won bronze in the 58 kg women freestyle wrestling.
"Sakshi is the first Indian women to win Olympic medal in wrestling, the sport which is considered a male-dominated sport. She showed grit and determination and won the bout in dying seconds. For this, the government has decided to honour her with Rani laxmibai Award," the CM said.
Rani laxmibai sports award is given to sportspersons who excel at the national and international level. The award comprises one lakh rupees and a citation. The date of felicitation would be decided later.
"The Samajwadi Party government has promoted sports and has extended various facilities to sportspersons. We have done it in the past and will do so in the future too," he said.
Yadav also talked about development of Uttar Pradesh and said the country could progress only if UP was prosperous. He sought support from the media to project growth of the state in right perspective.
Earlier, several women from various organisations and children tied rakhi on the hands on the CM.
"On this pious occasion, I appeal to the people of the state to bridge their differences and work unitedly for the development of the state," Yadav said.
Noted poet Dr Gopaldas Neeraj appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony in the state. Jail Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Political Pension Minister Rajendra Choudhary and senior bureaucrats attended the function.