Gujarat govt gives Rs 1.33 crore to Asian Games shooter Elavenil Valarivan

The Gujarat government on Monday presented shooter Elavenil Valarivan with assistance of Rs 1.33 crore under various sports schemes in recognition of her two silver medals at the Asian Games in Japan.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi handed over the assistance to the 27-year-old athlete under the Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana.

Valarivan won silver in the women’s 10m air rifle individual and team events at the Games, according to a government release.

The release said the athlete received a total of Rs 1.33 crore under the Shaktidoot Scheme and Olympic Incentive Scheme, besides Rs 74 lakh under schemes including the District Level Sports School (DLSS) Scheme and Khel Mahakumbh.

Sanghavi said the state government was committed to providing training and facilities to nurture sporting talent and prepare athletes for international competitions.

He also acknowledged the contribution of parents in supporting athletes throughout their sporting careers.

Valarivan, who studied at the Sanskardham complex under the state's DLSS scheme, had brought pride to Gujarat through her performance at the Asian Games, Sanghavi said.

He added that the success of athletes nurtured at Sanskardham would inspire other young sportspersons across the state.

Valarivan, a resident of Ahmedabad's Maninagar area, has been associated with the Gujarat government's Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017-18 and currently holds an 'A' category position, the release said.

An Arjuna Award recipient, Valarivan represented India at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.

She won gold at the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2019, recording a score of 251.7, the release added.