Chandigarh: Punjab School Education and Public Works Department Minister Vijay Inder Singla said the state government has decided to name roads and schools after Olympic medal winning players. Congratulating the Indian men's hockey team for clinching an Olympic (bronze) medal after 41 years, he said these players have made the country proud, and naming roads and schools after them would be a small token of appreciation.
In an official statement, Singla said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has given his approval to the proposal and officials have been directed to initiate the process at the earliest. He said the road connecting the residence and school of the area of the respective medal-winning player will be named after them to inspire the youngsters.
Singla said there was a golden contribution of Punjab in the field of Indian sports. The state has sent a contingent of 20 sports persons to this Olympics, he said. In the men's hockey squad, 11 players were from Punjab which included skipper Manpreet Singh and his deputy Harmanpreet Singh. The women's team has also performed well in the Olympics, he said.
Big rewards awaiting them
Haryana and Punjab governments announced cash awards for Olympic medallists, including members of the men’s hockey team and wrestler Ravi Dahiya. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar praised Dahiya for his effort after he became only the second Indian wrestler to win a silver medal at the Olympics. Dahiya, who hails from Sonipat lost the men’s freestyle 57kg title clash 4-7 to reigning world champion Zavur Uguev. “Our wrestler Ravi Dahiya put up a great performance in a keenly contested bout. I congratulate him for winning a silver medal,” Khattar said. He will get £400,000 award money as per state government’s policy for silver winning Olympic medalists, he said.
“As per our policy, we will give him Class one job. A piece of plot of land of Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran at concessional rates will also be given to him,” Khattar said.
Neighbouring Punjab government announced that it will give a cash award of £100,000 to each of the hockey players from the state. Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi made the announcement after India beat Germany 5-4 in the bronze play-off. “On this historic day for #IndianHockey I am delighted to announce a cash award of £100,000 each to players 4m#Punjab We await ur return to celebrate the much deserving medal in #Olympics,” Sodhi tweeted.
Punjab had eight players, including skipper Manpreet Singh, in the Indian men’s hockey team. The others are Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh and Mandeep Singh.
Congratulating the men’s hockey team for winning bronze medal, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur announced to give £100,000 from the SGPC to the hockey team. She also announced Rs 500,000 each to the Punjab players who participated in the individual games in the Olympics.
