Sprinter Dutee Chand on Sunday made India proud by winning the silver medal at the ongoing Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta. Dutee Chand won the race in the 100-meter category and congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and many others followed for the sprinter from Odhisha as soon as she won the race. Now, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for the sprinter who won the 100-meter race clocking 11.32 seconds.

“It is a matter of pride that an athlete from Odisha has brought laurels for the country in the Asian Games after 20 years. In 1998 Asian Games, Odia Athlete Rachita Panda Mistry had won a bronze medal for India,” the Chief Minster’s Office (CMO) said in a statement. The statement also mentioned that the Government also intends to lay emphasis on athletics and thus will be starting with an academy soon, which will be first of its kind in the state. The proposed Athletics Academy is expected to be launched shortly, stated the release further.

Talking about her victory, “In the semifinals, the first 20 metres, I did not push much and coach pointed out that ‘you have to make a better beginning. So in the final, I rushed the first 40 metres. I was running with eyes closed, whether medal comes or not, I wanted to better my timing. When I opened my eyes, the race was over. I did not know what has happened. People said you have won a medal, but I did not believe, I did not pick flag until I saw the result on display screen.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2018 02:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).