Paswan presents Rs 25 lakh cheque to Sushil Kumar

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) The Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan handed over a cheque for Rs 25 Lakhs to the Olympic Bronze Medalist Sushil Kumar as the reward for his historic performance.

The reward was announced by the Minister immediately after Shushil Kumar won the medal in Beijing.

The amount has been jointly paid by Steel Authority of India, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the National Minerals Development Corporation and the Manganese Oars India Limited.

Sushil Kumar who was participated in the 66 Kg category freestyle wrestling event was among three wrestlers who represented India. The other two were Yogeshwar Dutt and Rajiv Tomar.

SAIL will bear the cost of training of the three wrestlers for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Presenting the cheque yesterday Paswan said, ''the Ministry of Steel will make efforts to help sports organisations/state governments to create world class sports infrastructure in the future.'' ''The NMDC has started preparations for selecting 10 promising sports persons between the age group of 13 and 20 and provide them scholarships to enable them to undertake institutional training,'' he said adding ''It will also provide sponsorship support to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It will also start a world-class sports academy in the tribal areas of Chattisgarh. RINL has also planned to establish a tribal sports Academy on the Andhra-Orissa border.'' ''SAIL is also contemplating to set up a Rs 10 crore sports fund for skill development in various national and international sports event,'' the minister said.

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