Tokyo Paralympics: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Presents Rs 6 Crore Cash Award To Gold Medalist Shuttler Pramod Bhagat

CM Patnaik also assured Bhagat that Odisha government will continue to support him in future. The shuttler on his part thanked CM Patnaik for his motivation and support in his journey.

New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday felicitated Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist shuttler Pramod Bhagat with a cash award of Rs 6 crore. On September 4, the first-seed Indian had secured a gold medal after defeating Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in straight sets by 21-14 and 21-17 in 45 minutes in the men's singles SL3 final match. This is India's first medal in badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics.

As per a report in news agency IANS, Congratulating Bhagat, Patnaik said, "It gives me immense pleasure to felicitate you on your outstanding achievement. Your victory was a proud moment for the entire nation and will remain forever so. You have truly redefined how sports can uplift and empower lives. You have inspired a generation of sportspersons and para-sportspersons to create their own destiny."

CM Patnaik also assured Bhagat that Odisha government will continue to support him in future. 

Your support has constantly motivated me, Thankyou so much for all the love and affection Honourable @Naveen_Odisha CM Sir🙏🇮🇳🙏 https://t.co/2214jvdlmz

— Pramod Bhagat (@PramodBhagat83) September 10, 2021

India never had a strong presence at the Paralympics and only had 12 medals overall even though it has been participating in the Games since 1968. India's medal tally of 12 rose to a whopping 31 this year as Indian athletes grabbed 19 medals in total at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

With IANS Inputs