Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh each for para table tennis players Jehan Dorab Madan and Baby Sahana Ravi after they won bronze medals at the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Vijay congratulated both athletes for bringing pride to Tamil Nadu and India, announcing the rewards in separate posts on social media platform X. The move follows the state government’s efforts to recognise athletes for their performances at major international competitions.
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In his message for Jehan, Vijay praised the athlete for winning bronze in the men’s singles table tennis event and said the cash incentive was being awarded in recognition of his achievement. He added that the victory would inspire and motivate young para athletes in Tamil Nadu, while wishing Jehan continued success in the future.
In a separate post, the Chief Minister congratulated Sahana for her bronze medal in the women’s singles Class 9 event. He described her as a dedicated sportsperson and said her achievement would provide fresh inspiration to young para athletes in the state.
“Sportswoman Baby Sahana Ravi has accomplished this feat through her hard work and dedication,” Vijay said, wishing her more victories and further success in bringing pride to Tamil Nadu and India.
SAHANA MAKES HISTORY
Sahana’s bronze was significant beyond the medal itself. She became one of the first Indian para table tennis players to win a medal in the standing category at the Asian Para Games, alongside compatriot Prachi Pandey.
Sahana, representing Tamil Nadu, lost her women’s singles Class 9 semifinal to China’s Mao Jingdian, a five-time Paralympic gold medallist. She went down 8-11, 2-11, 4-11, but secured a bronze by reaching the last four.
Prachi also won bronze in the women’s Class 6 event, marking another breakthrough for India’s standing-category players at the continental competition. India’s overall para table tennis haul surpassed its performance at the previous edition, where the country won two bronze medals.
JEHAN ALSO CLAIMS BRONZE
Jehan Madan secured bronze in the men’s singles Class 1 event. The Class 1 category is for wheelchair athletes with severe impairments affecting sitting balance and the playing arm.
His medal added to India’s para table tennis success in Japan, where several Indian players reached the semifinals across different classifications.
With the Rs 30 lakh incentives for Jehan and Sahana, the Tamil Nadu government has recognised the achievements of two athletes who helped deliver a notable campaign for Indian para table tennis at the Asian Para Games.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
