Lalu honours 15 Railway sportspersons

New Delhi, Oct 12 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today honoured 15 Railway sportspersons who represented India at the Beijing Olympics including wrestler Sushil Kumar along with boxers Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, in the formal opening ceremony of the 56th Senior National Kabbadi championship here.

Lalu gave away the cash reward of Rs 55 lakh and promotion to the post of ACM in favour of Sushil. Besides, he also presented cheques of Rs 30 lakh each to Akhil and Jitender.

Twelve other players from Indian Railways including boxer Dinesh Kumar and Archer Dola Bannerjee will get Rs two lakh each as well as promotion to the next higher grade.

When asked whether kabaddi should be included in the Olympics, Lalu in his trademark style told UNI that ''Yes, I will ask the authorities that measures should be taken to promote Kabaddi and take this interesting game to the Olympics.'' On the first day in the men's category, Indian Railways humiliated Karnataka, winning their Pool A match 42-16. Meanwhile, in the women's section, Bihar beat Andhra Pradesh 38-18 in Pool B.

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