Shooting stars Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh felicitated by Haryana CM, to get cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore each

While Bhaker had won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol final in Paris Olympics, the 22-year-old youngster had also paired up with Ambala youngster Sarabjot Singh to win the mixed team 10m air pistol bronze medal. A cash reward of 2.5 crore for each of their medals — 5 crore for Bhaker and 2.5 crore for Singh — will be awarded to both the athletes.

Bhaker, who was accompanied by her parents Ram Kishan Bhaker and Dr Sumedha Bhaker, apart from brother Akhil Bhaker, was also handed over the appointment letter of deputy director, sports, in Haryana sports department.

“I am just 22 and it was my second Olympics. Like any other athlete, I too had gone with the mindset of winning gold. The competition in Paris was tough and the two Olympic bronze medals are special in my career,” said Bhaker.

Sarabjot Singh, who was accompanied by his farmer father Jatinder Singh Sahansweral and coach Abhishek Rana, belongs to Dhin village of Ambala district. Singh, who missed the men’s 10m air pistol by a whisker, too shared his views about competing in his first Olympics.

“Competing in the Olympics and winning a medal is every shooter’s dream and I am glad that I could achieve that. The shooting journey began from my village in 2014 and later under coach Abhishek Rana and it’s just the start. We are glad to receive this encouragement from the Haryana government, it will motivate us further to give our best,” said Singh, who too was given the appointment letter of deputy director, sports.

Saini also announced that the Haryana players who won medals in Paris Olympics, apart from wrestler Vinesh Phogat, will be honoured at a state-level function on August 17.

“Both Manu and Sarabjot have done Haryana as well India proud and it’s our government’s endeavour to support the players. Both of them will be given a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore each as per the policy. Out of the five medals in the Paris Olympics, four medals have been won by Haryana players. I also congratulate silver medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and three players of the Indian hockey team that won bronze medal at the Games. All of them have brought glory to Haryana and India and we are committed to promoting sports in the state,” said Saini.

Later in the day, Bhaker also met Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann after she and Singh met the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Renu Vig. Both Bhaker and Singh are students of DAV College, Chandigarh, and they were accompanied by Associate Professor and ISSF jury member Amanendra Mann.

“I had a very fruitful meeting about the Paris Olympics with Punjab CM Shri Bhagwant Mann at his office today. We celebrated India’s success in shooting, the historic bronze medal in men’s hockey and Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal win,” Bhaker later posted on X.