Youth Olympic medal winners to get cash rewards

NEW DELHI - The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced cash rewards of Rs.400,000 for silver medallists and Rs.200,000 for bronze medal winners of the inaugural edition of the Youth Olympics held in Singapore from Aug 14-26.

The cash prize was jointly given by the IOA and South Korean electronic giant Samsung, the main sponsor of the Youth Olympics.

“I am happy that the team came back with nine medals. I congratulate all the members of the team. We decided to get Commonwealth Games to India so that we could win medals in the Olympic sports. I will make sure all the players get proper training from now on and are looked after by their respective federations,” said IOA president Suresh Kalmadi.

India put up a good show at the 12-day event, winning nine medals and securing 58th position in the medals tally.

In Singapore, wrestler Pooja Dhanda won the first medal for India, a silver in the women’s 60kg freestyle. Satyawart Kadian won a bronze in the men’s 100kg freestyle.

Discus thrower Arjun sprung a surprise by pocketing a silver and giving India its first medal in athletics. Durgesh Kumar followed it up with a silver in the 400m hurdles final.

Badminton player H.S.Prannoy, who has been making waves at junior level and won a bronze in the world championships, had an impressive tournament but lost to Pisit Poodchalat of Thailand in the boys’ final, bagging the silver.

Tennis sensation Yuki Bhambri, who stunned second seed Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina, had to contend with a silver after muscle cramps forced him to retire in the final against Juan Sebastian Gomez of Colombia.

Boxers Shiva Thapa and Vikas Krishan won silver and bronze in the 60kg and 54kg category. Neha Thakur won the bronze medal in judo in the mixed team event. India had sent a contingent of 32 athletes at the Youth Olympics.