New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday honored Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist shuttler Pramod Bhagat with a cash prize of Rs 6 crore. On 4 September, the first seeded Indian won the gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 final match by defeating Daniel Bethel of Great Britain in straight sets 21–14 and 21–17 in 45 minutes. This is India’s first medal in badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics.
According to a report in news agency IANS, congratulating Bhagat, Patnaik said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on your outstanding achievement. Your victory was and will always be a proud moment for the entire country. Truly redefining how sports can uplift and empower lives. You have inspired a generation of sportsmen and para-sportspeople to make their own destiny.”
CM Patnaik also assured Bhagat that the Odisha government would continue to support him in future also.
Your support continues to inspire me, thank you so much for all your love and affection dear @naveen_odisha CM sir https://t.co/2214jvdlmz
— Pramod Bhagat (@PramodBhagat83) September 10, 2021
India has never had a strong presence in the Paralympics and has only 12 medals in total, even though it has been participating in the Games since 1968. India’s medal tally increased to 31 this year as Indian athletes bagged a total of 19 medals in Tokyo. Paralympics 2020.
With IANS inputs
.