National and International sportspersons from Punjab on Tuesday expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government for presenting Rs 33.83 crore in cash awards and according deserving respect to the 168 Asian Games and National Games winners.
Stating that it was for the first time that any Punjab government has given advance cash award of Rs 8 lakh each for the preparation, Sift Kaur Samra, gold medal in the Women's 50 metre rifle three positions event at the 2022 Asian Games, thanked the Punjab government for encouraging the players and assured the CM Mann that the players will win more medals in the upcoming tournaments including Olympic games.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor, gold medal winner of Shotput event thanked the Punjab government fulfilling promise of giving cash award to players immediately after the event. He said that these cash incentives given for preparation is a big amount for budding players and it will definitely encourage more players to take part in sports in the state.
Another renowned player, Indian women's cricket team captain and gold medal winner at the Asian Games Harmanpreet Kaur said that earlier parents and relatives used to discourage players especially girls to take sports as career but this initiative of honouring players and giving advance awards will encourage more young players to take part in sports.
Charanjeet Singh, silver medal winner in rowing thanked the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab government for launching new sports policy and giving deserving respect to the players.