Three sportswomen among five Bhim award winners

Chandigarh, June 26 (UNI) Three women were among five sportspersons who were awarded Bhim Puruskar by Haryana Governor here today.

Governor A R Kidwai today presented Bhim Puruskar to hockey star Jasjeet Kaur (Shahbad), judoka Archana (Hisar), wrestler Neha Rathee (Faridabad), athlete Sunil Kumar (Chitrauli, district Mahendragarh) and HSIDC spiker Sanjay Kumar (Panchkula).

Dr Kidwai also felicitated 39 other outstanding sportspersons at a function at Haryana Raj Bhawan.

Nine sportspersons, who won medals in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, were also given cash awards. A sum of Rs 81.51 lakh was disbursed among 44 players for bringing laurels to the state by winning medals at the national and international competitions.

Sunil Kumar was felicitated in absentia as the Mahendragarh athlete is attending a national coaching camp. His award was received by his father.

Each Bhim awardee was presented a cheque of Rs one lakh, a Bhim Pratima (statute), Ang Vastra, blazer and scarf.

The Haryana players who won medals in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games were Gurgaon boxer Akhil Kumar (gold in 54 kg), Sonepat thrower Seema Antil (silver in discus), Bhiwani boxer Vijender Singh (silver in 69 kg), hockey players from Shahbad Rajwinder Kaur, Jasbit Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Rajni Bala and Mamta Kharb (silver) from Rohtak and Bhiwani boxer Jitender Kumar (bronze in 51 kg).

The gold, silver and bronze medallists were presented cheques for Rs seven lakh, Rs five lakh and Rs three lakh respectively.

Thirty players were given State Sports Awards. Gold medal winners at the Asian Wrestling Championship Suman of Rohtak and Geeta Kumari of Bhiwani received cash awards of Rs one lakh each.

Silver medallists Hardeep Singh and Sudesh Kumari got Rs 75,000 each. Bronze medallist Meenakshi of Sonepat district was presented a cheque of Rs 50,000.

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