New Delhi [India], August 7 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah on Saturday announced a Rs 1 crore cash reward for star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra after his historic gold medal-winning feat in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
Jay Shah also announced that Indian athletes Mirabai Chanu and Ravi Dahiya who have won silver medals in the Games will get Rs 50 lakh each from BCCI.
The governing body of cricket will give Rs 25 lakh each to bronze medal winners — shuttler PV Sindhu, boxer Lovlina Borgohain and wrestler Bajrang Punia.
Also, the Indian men’s hockey team will get Rs 1.25 crore for their sensational show which saw them claiming a medal after 41 years in the sport.
“INR 1 Cr. – First place medal medallist@Neeraj_chopra1 50 lakh each – Second place medal medallists @mirabai_chanu& Ravi Kumar Dahiya 25 lakh each – Third place medal medallists @Pvsindhu1, @LovlinaBorgohai.@BajrangPunia INR 1.25 Cr. -@TheHockeyIndia men’s team @SGanguly99, @ThakurArunS @ShuklaRajiv,” Jay Shah tweeted.
Jay Shah said the athletes have made India proud by finishing on the podium in the Tokyo Olympics
“Our athletes have made the country proud by finishing on the podium at @Tokyo2020. The @BCCI acknowledges their stellar efforts and we are delighted to announce cash prizes for the medallists,” he added.
The Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju applauded the efforts of BCCI and said the body has been extremely helpful in preparation for Tokyo Olympics.
“Excellent gesture by @BCCI for the Olympic Medalists! From the beginning, BCCI has been extremely helpful in preparation for the #Tokyo2020 Olympics and contributed wisely for the management. Thank you @JayShah for your positive initiative to support the Olympic Sports,” Rijiju tweeted.
Neeraj Chopra on Saturday created history as he became the first from the country to win a gold in track and field in the Olympics. He threw a distance of 87.58m to pick the gold.

‘Couldn’t have asked for greater reward’, says AFI chief after Neeraj Chopra’s historic feat in Olympics

Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla on Saturday congratulated Neeraj Chopra for winning the gold medal in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
The 23-year-old created history as he became the first from the country to win a gold in track and field in the Olympics. He threw a distance of 87.58m to pick the gold.
“Today is truly a momentous day for Indian Athletics! My heartiest congratulations to Neeraj, coach Dr Klause and the entire support team of, doctors, physios, nutritionists and sports science specialists,” Sumariwalla said in a statement.
“Ever since I assumed the position of President of the Athletics Federation of India in 2012, my single-minded focus has been on raising the standard of track and field performances in India, providing opportunities at grassroots level to as wide a base of potential athletes as possible and bringing India her first Olympic medal in Athletics.

“My entire team at the Athletics Federation of India along with Dr Lalit Bhanot and I, with the support of the Sports Authority of India and the Dept of Sports, GOI, have worked tirelessly and consistently towards this goal.
“This medal brings with it a day of great jubilation and pride for me personally, for the Athletics Federation of India, for Indian Sport, and of course, for Neeraj and his family,” he added.
The AFI chief said he couldn’t have asked for a greater reward than to see an Indian athlete stand on the Olympic podium for the “very first time”.
“Since the age of eighteen, Athletics has been my life’s focus – as an Olympian athlete myself, as a coach who has trained an Olympian and as a sports administrator, both nationally and internationally,” he said.
“I could not have asked for a greater reward than to see an Indian Athlete stand on the Olympic podium for the very first time! Congratulations TEAM INDIA, thank you for your tireless efforts. This is just the beginning of better things to come,” added Sumariwalla.

After winning gold in Tokyo 2020, Neeraj Chopra aims to break the Olympics record

After scripting history in Tokyo Olympics, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Saturday said competing in international tournaments before the Games helped him in his preparations.
Neeraj Chopra created history as he became the first Indian athlete to win a gold in track and field event at the Olympics. He threw the javelin to a distance of 87.58m in the mega event to pick the gold.
“The most important thing for me this year was to participate in international competitions. The two, three international competitions where I played helped me a lot,” Neeraj said at a virtual press conference.
“So I didn’t feel any pressure in Olympics and I was able to focus on my performance,” he added.

India shines brighter today because of Neeraj Chopra: Tendulkar after javelin thrower’s historic feat in Olympics

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar and former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag lavished praise on javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra after his sensational show in the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Chopra created history as he became the first from the country to win a gold in track and field in the Olympics. He threw a distance of 87.58m in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics to pick the gold.
“Neeraj sent the javelin to the sun. India shines brighter today because of you, Neeraj. Your javelin carried the tricolour all the way and made it flutter with the pride of every Indian. What a moment for Indian sport!” Tendulkar tweeted.
Sehwag thanked Chopra for giving every Indian a moment of joy. The former Indian batsman termed the javelin thrower a “rocket”.
“Woooww! He’s a rocket, it’s a Gold and there are a billion tears of joy. Such days don’t come easy. The first Indian ever to win an Olympic medal in Athletics and it is a #GoldMedal . #NeerajChopra you champion. We are so proud of you. Thank you for giving us so much joy,” Sehwag tweeted.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya also lauded the “champion” Chopra for his historic feat.
“Champion #NeerajChopra, you beauty Take a bow,” Hardik tweeted.
Former Indian batsman Suresh Raina hailed Chopra for his “tremendous performance” in the showpiece event.
“Heartiest congratulations to you @Neeraj_chopra1 for bringing the first GOLD home. Proud of your tremendous performance! Jai HindFlag of IndiaClapping hands sign #Cheer4India #JavelinThrow #Olympics,” Raina tweeted.
Neeraj began his quest for a medal with a massive throw of 87.03 meters and was leading the pack after the end of the first attempt. He bettered it with the second throw of 87.58m.
While he wasn’t able to improve any further, it was enough to get him the coveted medal. He is now the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win a gold medal in individual events
Neeraj had announced his arrival in style in the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday when he threw a monstrous throw of 86.65m and automatically qualified for the final after just his first attempt. (ANI)