CM Naveen announces additional cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for Dutee Chand

Bhubaneswar: Congratulating star sprinter Dutee Chand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an additional cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for her for winning a silver medal in Women's 200 metre race at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Patnaik had also declared a Rs 1.5 crore prize for Dutee after she bagged a silver in Women's 100m race on Sunday.

This apart, Patnaik also announced that the state government would bear the expenses for the 22-year-old athlete's preparation for the next Olympics, official sources said.

The state government would provide assistance for her Olympics training, the CM said.

It may be noted that two sports bodies of the State- Odisha Athletics Association (OAA) and Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) - have already announced Rs 50,000 each for Dutee Chand for her achievement.

OAA secretary Ashirbad Behera said that Dutee has created history in athletics of Odisha by winning two medals in a single Asian Games.