New Delhi. Badminton Association of India (BAI) President and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that BAI will honour the medal winners of Paris Paralympics 2024 with a combined prize money of Rs 50 lakh for their outstanding efforts that created history.
India won five medals at the Paris Paralympics – one gold, two silver and two bronze – their most at any edition of the Paralympic Games, and secured a podium finish in the women's events for the first time at the recently concluded event in Paris.
Nitesh Kumar won the coveted gold medal in the men's singles SL3 category, while Suhas Yathiraj (men's singles SL4) added to his silver medal from Tokyo with a repeat win in Paris. Thulasimathi Murugesan, Manisha Ramdas and Nitya Sri Sivan created history by becoming the first Indian women shuttlers to win medals at the Paralympics. Thulasimathi won silver and Manisha bronze in women's singles SU5. Meanwhile, Nitya won bronze in the SH6 category.
Gold medallist Nitesh will get Rs 15 lakh, silver medallists Suhas and Thulasimathi will get Rs 10 lakh each, and bronze medallists Manisha and Nithya will get Rs 7.5 lakh each.
Commenting on the historic campaign by India’s Para badminton players, BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said, “Indian Para badminton players have been consistently performing well on the world stage and the cash award is a way for BAI to recognise their efforts in helping the country win medals at the Paralympics.”
He added, “BAI is committed to develop and promote parabadminton across the country and help these players achieve greater success and many more initiatives are being taken to develop parabadminton.” Given the busy tournament schedule of the players, BAI will also hold a virtual interaction session with these players to congratulate them and understand their requirements for continued development.
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– / Written By Top News Bulletin
Image Credit: KhasKhabar.