The Badminton Association of India announced on Tuesday a total award of Rs 50 lakh for the para shuttlers who won medals at the Paris Paralympics last month. At the Paris Games, Indian para shuttlers won five medals, including one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes. Nitesh Kumar, who won the coveted gold medal in the Men’s Singles SL3 category, will earn Rs 15 lakh, while silver medalists Suhas Yathiraj (men’s singles SL4) and Thulasimathi Murugesan (women’s singles SU5) will receive Rs 10 lakh apiece.
Bronze medalists Manisha Ramadass (women’s singles SU5) and Nithya Sre Sivan (women’s single SH6) will earn Rs 7.5 lakh each. Thulasimathi, Manisha, and Nithya achieved history as the first Indian female shuttlers to win medals at the Paralympics. “Indian para-badminton players have been performing consistently on the world stage and the cash rewards are just one way for BAI to recognise their efforts in helping the country win medals at the Paralympics,” Sanjay Mishra, BAI secretary-general, said.
“BAI is committed to developing and promoting para-badminton across the country and helping these players achieve much more success and many more initiatives to develop para-badminton are being undertaken,” according to him. Given the players’ busy tournament schedules, BAI will also arrange a virtual engagement session with them to congratulate them and better understand their needs for future growth.