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.
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