From Cash Prizes to Free Air Travel, A List of Rewards Announced For Neeraj Chopra

The 23-year-old athlete bagged India's one and only gold medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, becoming the first Indian to win a medal in an Olympic Track and Field event. With an impressive throw of 87.58 metres—roughly the length of four cricket pitches—the young star beat Czech Republic's J. Vadlejch and V. Veselý, who came in the second and third position. 

The Panipat-born sportsperson also happens to be a 'subedar' in the Indian Army and has fast become an overnight sensation across the country. Thereby, understandably so, he has been showered with praises and rewards from state governments, politicians, private organisations, as well as other sportspersons. Here's the exhaustive list of rewards that have been promised to the young athlete. 

 

1. ML Khattar, Haryana's Chief Minister announced a cash prize of Rs. 6 crores, along with a class I category government job, even though Chopra already holds a rank in the military. Khattar also announced that the 23-year-old will be made head of the upcoming Centre for Excellence in Athletics, in Panchkula. "As per our sports policy, Neeraj Chopra will get a cash reward of ₹six crore, a Class-I job and a piece of the plot of land at concessional rates," he said.

 

2. Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab announced a cash prize of Rs. 2 crores for Chopra. Neeraj's family has roots in Punjab and Amarinder Singh said that his win was a proud moment for India and all Punjabis. 

 

3. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash reward of Rs. 1 crore for Neeraj. Plus, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also announced a reward of Rs. 1 crore for the athlete. "As a mark of appreciation and honour on his stellar achievement, CSK is awarding Rs. 1 crore to Neeraj Chopra," CSK said in an official statement.

 

4. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra announced that he will gift a brand new XUV 700 to Chopra when he returns to India. On the other hand, Realty firm Elan Group's Chairman Rakesh Kapoor has announced a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakh as well. 

 

5. Indian airliner IndiGo has announced that it will offer unlimited free travel for a span of one year to Chopra. The offer is applicable from August 8, 2021, till August 7, 2022. In a statement, Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, "Neeraj we were all overjoyed to hear about your remarkable achievement. You have made the country proud, and I know all IndiGo employees would be truly honoured to welcome you onboard one of our flights."

 

6. The Manipur government announced a cash reward of Rs. 1 crore for Chopra. N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, said in a tweet, "On this historic day where India bagged an Olympic Gold medal in an athletic event after 100 years, the Manipur State Cabinet has decided to honour the Javelin throw Gold medalist @Neeraj_chopra1 by extending a reward of ₹1 Crore. Congratulations on this historic win, Neeraj."

 

7. Educational technology company, BYJU's also announced a cash reward of Rs 2 crores for the javelin thrower, along with a cash prize of Rs 1 crore for the remaining Indian medalists at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. "Making further strides into encouraging players across sports disciplines, the company has announced Rs 2 crores for Neeraj Chopra and Rs 1 crore each for Mirabai Chanu, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Lovlina Borgohain, PV Sindhu, and Bajrang Punia," a statement read.