Kolhapur: Father of Olympic medalist shooter Swapnil Kusale has expressed his disappointment over the prize money and benefits his son is getting from the Maharashtra government. Kolhapur’s Swapnil was one of five medalists as he won a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. The Indian shooter’s father Suresh Kusale questioned why the prize money announced by the Maharashtra government is lower as compared to what Haryana had announced for their athletes.
“The Haryana government gives ₹5 crores to each (Olympics medal winning) player (Haryana gives ₹6 crores to a gold medallist, ₹4 crores to the silver medallist, ₹2.5 crores to bronze winner),” he said to reporters.
Suresh also questioned the new policy announced by the state government.
“As per a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medal winner will get ₹2 crore,” he added.
“Why does the state form such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medal winner from Maharashtra (after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952) in 72 years?”
When asked about his demands, Suresh said that he should be given a shooting arena for practice.
“Swapnil should get Rs 5 crore as an award, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he could easily commute for practice. Swapnil’s name should be given to the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena,” he said when asked about his demands.
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