Bangalore: The sports ministry said on Tuesday that it had put forward a proposal to the state government for performance-based cash incentives for India’s Beijing-bound duo of Anup Sridhar and Rehan Poncha.

“We have put forward a proposal of Rs 1 crore for a gold medal, Rs 50 lakh for silver and Rs 25 lakh for bronze at the Olympics,” minister for youth affairs and sports, Goolihatti D Shekar, said during a ceremony held to felicitate the shuttler and swimmer at the Karnataka Badminton Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Sridhar said he was happy to qualify but understood his responsibility. “There’s still plenty to do and hopefully we’ll be back with more than a participation certificate.”

Poncha said irrespective of his opportunity to perform in Beijing, his goal would be to shine in the 2012 Olympics.

Indian hockey legend M P Ganesh urged Sridhar and Poncha not to rest on their laurels and work to improve the standard of their respective games. “Do the best you can in Beijing and come back as heroes,” he added. Later, Ballal, Kumar and Millet shared their Olympic experiences with the duo.

Former Olympians MP Ganesh, Ashish Ballal, Nisha Millet and U Vimal Kumar, who were present, shared their Olympic experiences with Sridhar and Poncha. The Karnataka Olympic Association felicitated Sridhar and Poncha and presented them with cheques of Rs 25,000 each.