Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced cash incentives of Rs. 50 lakh each for the gold medallists, Rs. 25 lakh each for silver medallists and Rs. 15 lakh for bronze medallists in the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Badminton coaches Pullela Gopichand and S.M. Arif will also get Rs. 50 lakh each for their contribution to the success story. It was a pleasant surprise for all the CWG medallists when they met the Chief Minister at his chambers in the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Sports City
The Chief Minister also told the delegates that the government would develop an excellent Sports City around Hyderabad shortly. “Design and development of the Sports City should be planned by using the local Telangana talent. The facility will also host national and international events once in two months,” he said.
Mr. Rao accepted a suggestion to allot the existing sports infrastructure to talented sportspersons to develop academies. He promised to give a new direction to sports by ensuring that all deserving players get the desired support on all fronts. “We will take every step to make Hyderabad the final destination for sports,” he said.
CWG gold medallist Parupally Kashyap, silver medallist Jwala Gutta, bronze medallists P.V. Sindhu, R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt (all from badminton), Gagan Narang (silver & bronze in shooting), gymnast Aruna Reddy (no medal) were among those present along with India’s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand and champion Saina Nehwal.
Later, Gutta Jwala said that the Chief Minister was very positive during his interaction and promised to extend all support to the sports fraternity. She also welcomed the appointment of tennis star Sania Mirza as brand ambassador of Telangana.
“I see nothing wrong in this. I am really proud that a woman sportsperson from Hyderabad has been chosen as one,” she said. Jwala Gutta was also game to meet A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and would not say ‘no’ if offered the brand ambassador role.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – August 06th, 2014