New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore for Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale after his bronze medal achievement at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.
The 28-year-old Kusale, who hails from Kambalwadi village in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, finished third in the men’s 50m rifle three positions final. He accumulated 451.4 points in the 8-men final event to finish only behind China’s Liu Yukun (463.6) and Serhiy Kulish (461.3).
According to a report by news agency PTI, CM Eknath Shinde told reporters in Mumbai that he spoke to Kusale’s father Suresh and the shooter’s coach as well apart from wishing the Olympic medallist on a video call.
“The Maharashtra government is announcing a prize of Rs 1 crore for Kusale. He will be felicitated on his arrival from the Olympics,” the CM said, as per a PTI report.
#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde today called the family of Olympic bronze medal winning shooter Swapnil Kusale in Kolhapur and congratulated them and also assured them of full support from the Maharashtra govt to Swapnil for his future endeavours.
(Video source: Chief… pic.twitter.com/7EpEgtCUG5
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024
CM Shinde calls Swapnil Kusale as Maharashtra’s pride
Swapnil Kusale became the second athlete from Maharashtra to bring an individual medal at the Olympics after Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav’s bronze medal at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won India’s first medal in wrestling, a bronze in the men’s bantamweight wrestling.
According to an Indian Express report, Kusale at the age of 14 was selected to be part of a Maharashtra government sports scheme. It was here where the youngster opted shooting as his preferred sports and 14 years later he scripted history in the state’s sporting chapter.
Earlier in the day, CM Shinde congratulated the Maharashtra youngster through his official Twitter handle. He called Kusale as the state’s pride in his tweet.
#Paris2024 ऑलिंपिकमध्ये नेमबाजीत कांस्यपदकाचा वेध घेणारा स्वप्नील कुसाळे हा महाराष्ट्राचा अभिमान आहे, अशा शब्दांत मुख्यमंत्री @mieknathshinde यांनी स्वप्नीलचे अभिनंदन केले आहे. कोल्हापुरच्या नेमबाज स्वप्नील कुसाळे याने नेमबाजीत ५० मीटर रायफल थ्री पोझिशनमध्ये कांस्य पदक पटकावले… pic.twitter.com/EXvz3ZbKGX
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 1, 2024
Swapnil’s bronze is India’s third medal at the Paris Olympics after Manu Bhaker’s bronze in women’s 10m air pistol and Manu-Sarabjot Singh’s bronze in mixed team 10m air pistol.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore for Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale after his bronze medal achievement at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
