Punjab Govt to rope in Neeraj Chopra to train budding athletes

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 8

The Punjab Government will rope in Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra to train budding athletes of the state, Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi announced today.

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During a felicitation function at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, Sodhi honoured Chopra with a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore, which was announced by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh soon after Chopra won the historic gold medal in athletics at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. Other Olympians from Punjab, who brought laurels for the state, were also part of the felicitation ceremony.

“I would like to invite him (Chopra) to teach our young kids. Our department would love to take his expertise. We will soon plan his visits as per his convenience in various districts of Punjab,” said Sodhi, while talking to The Tribune. When questioned if the government was planning to enhance cash prize money for the state achievers at par with neighbouring Haryana, the minister said: “We will upgrade the state sports policy every year. We are keen to encourage sportspersons with whatever we can.”

Chopra, meanwhile, said his feat of winning a gold medal had encouraged him to bring more laurels for the country in the coming years. While talking about areas of improvements in the region, he said there was a need to encourage more children to take up sports.

“I am thankful to the Punjab Government for this honour. And I wish more players can get such opportunities for the country,” he added. Para-Asian Games medallist Gurlal Singh was felicitated with a cash award of Rs 50 lakh on the occasion.

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