UP government announces award for Sakshi Malik

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday announced that the Rani Laxmi Bai award will be given to wrestler Sakshi Malik for her winning feat at the Rio Olympics. "We congratulate Sakshi for wining the medal in the Rio Olympics. Our government will give Rani Lakshmi award to her," he said at a programme at his residence here. The award comprises a bronze statue of Rani Laxmi Bai, a scroll and a cash reward of Rs 3.11 lakh and is given to meritorious sportspersons who excel at national/international level. The gritty woman wrestler from Haryana ended India's painful wait for a medal at Rio by clinching the bronze in the 58kg category, pulling off a sensational 8-5 victory over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyz Republic in the play-off bout last night.