The cash award for 11 state players, who were part of the Indian hockey team which brought laurels in the Olympics by winning a medal (bronze) after 41 years of drought, has been increased from Rs.1 crore each to Rs.2.51 crore each. The credit for the increase in cash prize goes to former Hockey team Captain and MLA from Jalandhar Cantt Constituency, Olympian Pargat Singh and Chief Principal Secretary to Punjab CM, Suresh Kumar.
On August 10, Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi informed that the state government will honour Olympics medal winners and participating state players besides Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra with the cash awards worth Rs.32.67crore in a special function which will be held in Chandigarh on August 12.
Former hockey player Pargat Singh took a stance for the players at the time, contacting the Punjab Chief Principal Secretary and demanding a raise in the award money. He said that the 1 crore prize is insufficient for our hockey players' efforts and that it should be increased since the pride they have brought to the country is incredible and invaluable.
Following this, CM Capt Amarinder Singh was approached and he agreed to offer hockey players Rs 2.51 crore each. Gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra would also be awarded an increased cash award of Rs 2.51 crore, which was initially Rs. 2 crores.
According to reports, Capt will honour the Olympic players, while Governor Mr V.P. Singh Badnaur would be the special guest on this occasion.
Notably, the Indian hockey team led by Captain Manpreet Singh and Vice-Captain Harmanpreet Singh. Apart from them, Rupinder Pal Singh, Simranjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Dilpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Krishan Pathak were also from Punjab.
Fourth positioned Indian women hockey team members from state Reena Khokhar and Gurjit Kaur and Discus Thrower Kamalpreet Kaur, who remained on 6th position also amongst to be honoured with a cash prize of Rs. 50 lakhs each.
Similarly, Boxer Simranjit Kaur, Shooter Anjum Moudgill and Angadveer Singh, athletes Tejinder Pal Singh Toor & Gurpreet Singh and Paralympic Badminton player Palak Kohli, would also be given Rs.21 lakh each.