TN makes its medal winners richer

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu government decided on Saturday to honour its Asian Games medal winners Krisnan Sasikaran (chess), Anju Bobby George (athletics) and Sourav Ghosal (squash) by announcing cash awards for the trio.

According to a release on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced the awards totalling Rs 45 lakh out of which Rs 20 lakh would be pocketed by Grand Master Sasikaran, captain of the Indian chess team that won gold at the Doha Asiad.

Long jumper Anju Bobby George bagged a silver medal for her efforts in the women's event, making her eligible for a Rs 15 lakh cheque by the state government.

Ghosal would get Rs 10 lakh for his bronze medal winning effort in the individual men's squash event.

The government had already announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for runner S Santhi, who won silver in the women's 800 metres.

All the four Indian athletes would be presented the award by the Chief Minister himself at an honorary function on December 18.

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