Chandigarh/Panipat: Extremely ecstatic with history scripted in Tokyo by Neeraj Chopra with a gold medal win in the javelin throw at the Olympics, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced a cash prize of Rs 6 crore and a class 1 category job to him.
Khattar also announced that Chopra, if willing, may head the Centre of Excellence for athletes being built by the state government in Panchkula.
ALSO READ | Tokyo 2020: History Made! Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold Medal In Javelin Throw At Tokyo Olympics
“Neeraj Chopra will be given Rs 6 crore and a class I category job as per our policy. We will be building a Centre of Excellence for athletes in Panchkula, where he will be the head if he wants,” said Khattar.
“He will be given a plot with 50 percent concession like the other players,” he added.
Meanwhile, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij could not control his emotions and was seen dancing along with his party workers as Chopra, a native of Panipat, won the first gold medal for India.
Chopra’s father also expressed delight with his son’s achievement and said he has fulfilled the nation’s dream.
“I am so happy that the country's dream has been fulfilled through the efforts of my son. After seeing the level of his training, we were sure of this medal,” ANI quoted Chopra’s father as saying.
The people were also seen celebrating outside Chopra’s Panipat residence. Holding the tricolour in their hands, the locals raised slogans showering praises on the 23-year-old javelin thrower for his historic feat at the Tokyo Olympics.
Putting in a stunning performance to win India’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics, Chopra registered a best attempt of 87.58 m to finish ahead of Czech Republic duo of Jakub Vadlejch and Vitezslav Vesely.
It was India's first gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics and also the country's second individual gold medal in its Olympic history after Abhinav Bindra’s win in Beijing 2008.