New Indian Express: Naveen announces special incentive for players selected for Olympics

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced special incentive of Rs 10 lakh each for six players from Odisha selected for Rio Olympics.

Besides athlets Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda, four women hockey players from Odisha have been selected for the Indian women’s hockey team which will take part in the Olympics. Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Sunita Lakra from Odisha will represent the national women’s team.

The chief minister has directed the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to provide the incentive amount to the players immediately. Naveen Patnaik said the incentive amount will help the players in their preparation for the Olympics.

He hoped that the players will bring glory for Odisha and the country by their performance.

The chief minister has also asked the sports and youth services department to increase the incentive amount for players in group events from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh and individual events from Rs1 lakh to Rs 5 five lakh.