Mamata felicitates Railways athletes for CWG success

New Delhi: World champion grappler Sushil Kumar and discus thrower Krishna Poonia along with 25 other Railways sportspersons were felicitated today by Rail Minister Mamata Banerjee for clinching medals in the Commonwealth Games here.

Banerjee, flanked by Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahay, handed over cheques and trophies to the athletes, who claimed honour in different disciplines of the October 3-14 Delhi Games. Gold medal winners received Rs 10 lakh, while the silver medallists became richer by Rs six lakh and bronze medallists Rs four lakh. Out of total 101 medals that India claimed in the Delhi Games, Railways players contributed 25, including 13 golds and three silvers. Besides Sushil and Poonia, the Railways` gold medallists include woman shooter Anisha Sayyed, ace archer Dola Banerjee, weightlifter Renubala Chanu and boxer Paramjit Samota. "The Railways family as well as the nation is very proud of them. I hope they will continue with their good performance in the days to come, including the Asian and Olaympic Games," Banerjee said after the award ceremony. "If the players get support in this way, I am sure that more athletes will come up and will do well in the coming Olympic Games also," Sushil Kumar said. Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) also announced cash awards for the successful athletes. RSPB will give Rs five lakh, three lakh and two lakh for gold, silver and bronze respectively. More than 90 sportspersons from the Railways took part in the Commonwealth Games, where India finished second in the medal tally. PTI