Chief Minister Vijay announced huge cash incentives for athletes who have brought glory to the country and the state of Tamil Nadu by winning medals in the Asian Games. He made it clear on this occasion that the government will take the lead in recognizing the talent of athletes and encouraging them.
The Chief Minister's Office has announced a cash award of Rs 50 lakh each to Tamil Nadu athletes Vidya Ramaraj and Vishal, who were part of the team that won the silver medal for India in the 4×400 metres mixed relay race. They will receive this financial assistance under the 'Elite Sportsperson Scheme' of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority (SDAT). It is known that Vijay had announced a cash award of Rs 75 lakh to G. Kamalini, a young Tamil Nadu player who was part of the Indian women's cricket team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games.
"Congratulations to the Indian athletes who won the silver medal in the 4×400 meter mixed relay. The presence of two athletes from Tamil Nadu in the four-member Indian team is a source of pride for our state's sports sector. This success achieved by Vidya Ramaraj and Vishal will be a great inspiration to the youth who want to excel in sports. May both of them achieve more international successes in the future and bring good name to Tamil Nadu as well as India," CM Vijay praised.
In the 4×400m mixed relay, the Indian team of Vidya Ramaraj, Vishal, Manu and Poovamma finished the race in 3:14.46 seconds to win the silver. The Bahrain team won the gold by setting a Games record with a timing of 3:12.87 seconds. This is India's third consecutive medal in the mixed relay category at the Asian Games. The Indian team, which won gold in 2018 and silver in 2022, shined once again with a silver medal.