Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday announced a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh for G. Lakshmanan for winning two gold medals at the 22nd Asian athletic championship, which concluded in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Lakshmanan, a subedar in the Army, is from a tiny village in Pudukkottai district. He won the 5,000 m and 10,000 m gold medals in the continental event.
The state government also announced an incentive of '15 lakh to Lalgudi's Arokiya Rajiv, who won a gold medal (4x400 relay) and a silver medal (400m) in Bhubaneswar. Rajiv is also in the Army. Mr Palanisami congratulated the two athletes for bringing glory to Tamil Nadu.
Lakshmanan thanked the state. “I'm thrilled because I will be receiving a prize from the TN government for the first time,” he added. Meanwhile, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik gave Rs 20 lakh and Rs 15 lakh to Lakshmanan and Rajiv respectively on behalf of his government for their success in the Asian championship.
