Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday presented the State Sports Awards, worth Rs 15.55 crore, to 23 players in recognition of their outstanding performance in Commonwealth and Asian Games-2018.

Legendary athlete Milkha Singh accompanied the CM at the event, where an Apple Iphone was also presented to each of the players, along with the certificates. Speaking on the occasion, Amarinder reiterated his government’s commitment to promote sports at the grassroots level, and to motivate youngsters into sports through various initiatives.

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He expressed the confidence that Punjab players would shine in the next Olympics as there was no dearth of talent in the state. The state government would channelise the energy and talent of sports stars positively to secure medals in the Olympics, the CM added.

Among those honoured by the CM were Heena Sidhu, who has been awarded Rs 1.75 crore for clinching gold, silver and bronze medals in Pistol Shooting in Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Other awardees in the Commonwealth category are Pranav Chopra (Rs 75 lakh for Gold in Badminton), Anjum Moudgil (Rs 50 lakh for Silver medal in Shooting), Navjeet Kaur Dhillon (Rs 40 lakh for winning bronze medal in Discus throw), Vikas Thakur (Rs 40 lakh for Bronze in Weightlifting). Weightlifter Pardeep Singh’s mother received his award for Rs 50 lakh for winning Silver medal.

Among the Asian Games Gold medal winners, Tajinder Pal Singh Toor and Swaran Singh were conferred Rs One crore each respectively in Shotput and Rowing. Sukhmeet Singh received award and Rs One crore for Gold in Rowing.

While Rs One crore was awarded to Arpinder Singh for winning Gold in Triple Jump (Athletics), Rs 75 lakh to Randeep Kaur Khehra for Silver medal in Kabaddi, Rs 75 lakh to Reena Khokhar for Silver in Hockey, Rs 50 lakh to Rupinder Pal for Bronze medal in Hockey, Rs 75 lakh to Gurjit Kaur for Silver in Hockey, and Rs 50 lakh to Akashdeep Singh, whose award was received by his father. An award of Rs 50 lakh was by the mother of Hockey player Manpreet Singh.

Among other awardees were the Hockey players who won the Bronze in the Jakarta Asian Games. They were all given Rs 50 lakh each, which was received by their respective family members as they are currently in the national camp of Indian Hockey.

Award and prize money of Rs 50 lakh was given to Bhagwan Singh, bronze medal winner in Rowing.