By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 7, 2017 : Odisha government on Friday announced a cash award for every winning athlete at the ongoing 22nd Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) 2017 here.

Besides, special awards will also be bestowed on athletes breaking national and international records.

As per the announcement Sports and youth affairs minister Chandrasarathi Behera, the state government will give a cash award of Rs 7 lakh, Rs 5.5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh to gold, silver and bronze winners respectively.

State government owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) shall sponsor the prize money to be conferred on the athletes, according to the officials.

The announcement by Behera following consultation with chief minister Naveen Patnaik came soon after ace Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand bagged bronze at the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships,

Earlier leading education institution KIIT University and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) earlier had announced cash incentive for medal winners from Odisha.

Odia athletes winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medal will be given cash incentive of Rs. 3 lakh, Rs. 2 lakh and 1.5 lakh respectively, said Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

“This financial incentive for the successful athletes is part of the continuous endeavour of KIIT & KISS to encourage sportspersons and promote sports in Odisha”, Dr. Samanta said.