'Rs 5 Crore, A Pune Flat And Shooting Arena Named After My Son': Paris Olympics Medallist's Father Makes Jaw-Dropping Demand
Father of Paris Olympics medallist Swapnil Kusale put forth demand for his son which includes a cash prize of Rs 5 crore and a flat in Pune.
Swapnil Kusale, the shooter who won a bronze medal in the Paris Olympic 2024, received Rs 2 crore prize money by the Maharashtra government after his return to India. However, his father is not too impressed with the cash-prize that Swapnil has got. He cited the Haryana government's example who tend to give much higher amount to athletes when they go on to win medals.
Notably, Swapnil, who hails from Kolhapur, bagged a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions in the French capital in the Olympics earlier this year. The medal was India's first-ever in this event in history. His father Suresh Kusale on Monday (October 7) said that his son should get Rs 5 crore prize money and a flat in Pune.
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"The Haryana government gives Rs 5 crore to its each (Olympics medal winning) player (Haryana gives Rs 6 crore to a gold medallist, Rs 4 crore to silver medallist, Rs 2.5 crore to bronze winner)," Suresh said while speaking to reporters in Kolhapur.
"As per a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medal winner will get Rs 2 crore. Why does the state form such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medal winner from Maharashtra (after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952) in 72 years?" he asked.
"However, our government has announced Rs 5 crore for a gold medal winner, Rs 3 crore for a silver medallist and Rs 2 crore for a bronze medallist. Why have such a criteria when only two players from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals in so many years?" Suresh Kusale asked.
"Had I known such an outcome, I would have persuaded him to explore a career in some other sports. Is the amount kept low because Swapnil is from a humble background? Would the reward amount have remained the same if he had been the son of an MLA or a minister?" he said.
50-Meter-Three-Position Rifle Shooting Arena In Pune Should Be Named After My Son: Suresh Kusale
As he continued to list his demands, Suresh Kusale said that the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena in the sport complex in Pune should also be named after his son.
"Swapnil should get Rs 5 crore as an award, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he could easily commute for practice. Swapnil's name should be given to the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena," he said when asked about his demands.
READ HERE | Swapnil Kusale's MS Dhoni Connection
After winning the bronze medal, Swapnil earned a promotion by Central Railway and is now an 'Officer On Special Duty (OSD)'.
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