Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced Rs 10 lakh as a token of appreciation to gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw and felicitation of six other athletes for their sterling achievements in the Tokyo Olympics.
“I have declared giving a prize money of Rs 10 lakh to Sirsi’s Kashinath Naik for being a strength behind the success of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra as his former coach,” the State Sports and Youth Empowerment Minister K C Narayana Gowda said in a tweet.
Chopra had won a gold medal in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics bettering the throw of German rival Johannes Vetter. A throw of 87.58 meters got Chopra the gold medal for India and he became the first Indian to win a gold in the category of field and track events.
Naik had won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2010. “I also recall how Kashinath Naik had made the country proud when he won the bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2010,” Gowda said.
The minister also said that the government is planning to facilitate six other Olympics achievers.
“7 Indian athletes who excelled at the Tokyo Olympics will be felicitated by the state government. I have also discussed with the chief minister. Coach Kashinath will also be honored,” Gowda tweeted.
