Paris Olympics 2024: Swapnil Kusale won bronze. (AP)
Suresh Kusale said his son should get prize money of Rs 5 crore and a flat near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, and said the Haryana government was giving much higher amounts to its athletes who won medals from The Olympic Games.
The father of Paris Olympics shooting bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale on Monday expressed disappointment over the Maharashtra government paying Rs 2 crore prize money to his son, saying that Haryana was giving a much higher amount to its athletes.
Swapnil Kusale, who hails from Kolhapur, won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in the 50m 3-position rifle in August.
The 29-year-old’s father, Suresh Kusale, said his son should get a cash prize of Rs 5 crore and a flat near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, and claimed that the Haryana government was giving much higher amounts for winning Olympic medals athletes.
Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Suresh Kusale said, “The Haryana government is giving Rs 5 crore to each of its (Olympic medalists) players (Haryana gives Rs 6 crore to a gold medalist, Rs 4 crore to a silver medalist, 2.5 crores of rupees per bronze winner ).
“According to a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medalist will get Rs 2 crore. Why did the state form such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medalist from Maharashtra (after wrestler KD Jadhav in 1952) in 72 years?”
Five people won medals at the Paris Olympics for India, four of whom were from Haryana and one, Swapnil Kusale, from Maharashtra. Haryana is a much smaller state compared to Maharashtra but gives higher prize money to its medalists, he said.
“However, our government announced Rs 5 crore for the gold medalist, Rs 3 crore for the silver medalist and Rs 2 crore for the bronze medalist. Why is there such a criterion when only two players from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals in so many years,” asked Suresh Kusale.
“Had I known such a result, I would have persuaded him to explore a career in another sport. Is the amount low because Swapnil comes from a humble background? Would the award amount have remained the same if he was the son of an MP or a minister?” he wondered.
Suresh Kusale said the 50m three-position rifle shooting arena at the sports complex should be named after his son.
“Swapnil should get Rs 5 crore as reward, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he can easily travel for training. Swapnil’s name should be given to the 50m and three-position rifle shooting arena,” he said when asked about his demands.
After his feat in Paris, the ace gunner was promoted by his employer, Central Railway, and appointed as an officer on special duty.
The Maharashtra government recently announced doubling of prize money for players winning medals at major sporting events, including Olympics, World Cups and Asian Games, among others.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
