Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a financial incentive for Armed Forces personnel who brought laurels for the country in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou during September-October 2023, an official statement from the Defence Ministry said on Saturday.
As per the statement, gold medal winners will be given a cash reward of INR 2.5 million ($30,160), while silver medal winners will get INR 1.5 million ($18,096), and those who won bronze medals will get INR 1 million ($12,064).
This is the first time the Defence Ministry has announced a financial incentive for athletes from the Armed Forces. The incentive was announced with the aim of boosting the morale of athletes at qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Apart from this, a cash reward to 45 medal winners, including seven para athletes, has also been approved.
At the Asian Games and Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, Indian athletes recorded their best-ever showing, as they won 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze, as well as 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze at the multi-sport events respectively.