Tamil Nadu: CM Vijay announces ₹ 30 lakh each for India’s 2026 Asian Games heroes; check who will receive the reward | Today’s news
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced cash incentives for a number of players. Squash players Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riyaz and seamer Nethra Kumanan will receive ₹30 lakhs. So did Velavan Senthilkumar and Abhay Singh. They won the bronze medal in the men’s team competition.
Abinaya Rajarajan, who won a bronze medal in the 4x100m medley relay, will also make it. ₹30 lakhs. Vishal TK and Rajesh Ramesh, who helped India secure a bronze medal in the men’s 400m relay, will also make it. ₹30 million each. Baranica Elangovan, who won bronze in the pole vault, will also receive it ₹30 lakhs.
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It will be given to sprinter Vithya Ramraj, who won three medals in three different track events ₹75 lakhs from the Government of Tamil Nadu. CM Vijay had earlier announced ₹30 lakhs for Vithya, also spelled as Vidya. But after its historic achievements, the amount was first increased to ₹50 million, then to ₹75 million.
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Athletes receiving ₹30,000 include squash players Joshna Chinappa, Shameena Riyaz, sailors Nethra Kumanan and medalists Velavan Senthilkumar, Abhay Singh, Abinaya Rajarajan, Vishal TK, Rajesh Ramesh and Baranica Elangovan.
The prize money for Vithya Ramraj has been increased to ₹ 75 lakh due to her historic achievement of winning three medals in various track events at the 2026 Asian Games.
The cash incentive follows Tamil Nadu’s established reward policy, which regularly rewards sportspersons for winning national and international medals.
CM Vijay expressed his support by congratulating on social media and highlighting the role of these victories in inspiring young sportspersons in Tamil Nadu.
The bronze medals symbolized India’s competitive performance in badminton at the 2026 Asian Games, adding to the country’s overall medal tally and sporting prestige.
Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riyaz helped India win a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna also starred alongside them. Together they secured bronze in the women’s squash competition.
The ₹Hariharan Amsakarunan, who won the bronze medal for the men’s badminton team, will also receive a reward of 30,000 crowns. Goalkeeper Gunalan Kamalini, who was part of India’s gold medal-winning team, will receive ₹75 million.
Elavenil Valarivan won two silver medals. She was born in Tamil Nadu and adopted ₹1.33 crore from the Gujarat government for representing the state in domestic sports. However, the Tamil Nadu government is also rewarding ₹50 million for each silver medal.
CM Vijay congratulated the team for this achievement. He said it has boosted the status of Tamil Nadu in sports across the world. Vijay shared his congratulations through a social media post.
“Heartiest congratulations and best of luck to yachtsman Nethra Kumanan who has brought pride to Tamil Nadu and India by winning the bronze medal in women’s sculling at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan,” he wrote.
Announcing the prize money, he wrote, “Sailor Nethra Kumanan’s victory will give new inspiration to the young sportsmen and women of Tamil Nadu. We wish her many more successes and new milestones in the future.”
“The victories of squash players Velavan Senthilkumar and Abhay Singh inspire the younger generation to take up the sport with enthusiasm and confidence. We wish these players continued success in securing many more victories and achieving more milestones on the international stage!” he wrote in a separate post.
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He also praised Chennai players Joshna and Shamena. He wrote, “Their success will serve as an excellent inspiration to young men and women aspiring for greatness. I wish them all the best to secure many more victories in the future and lift the pride of Tamil Nadu and India on the global stage!”
This cash incentive follows the established remuneration policy of Tamil Nadu. The state regularly rewards athletes who win national and international medals.
India at the 2026 Asian Games
India won 21 gold, 26 silver and 38 bronze medals at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The total number now stands at 85.
Team India achieved several historic victories. The Shreyas Iyer-led cricket team defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final. Abhishek Sharma scored an amazing 61 runs.
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Hockey teams won India’s first ever double gold. The men’s team defeated Malaysia 5-1 for the gold. This also secured quotas for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat won gold in the 57kg freestyle. Sujeet Kalkal had won gold the previous day.
The combined archers swept all three team titles. Kumkum Mohod also won a historic individual gold. This secured her an Olympic berth in LA 2028.
The women’s 4x400m relay clocked a time of 3:29.69. This broke India’s long golden streak in athletics.
