Andhra announces Rs.50 lakh cash award for Gagan

Hyderabad - The Andhra Pradesh government Tuesday announced a cash award of Rs.50 lakh for ace shooter Gagan Narang, who bagged a bronze medal at the London Olympics.

Narang Monday won the men’s 10 meter air rifle event, giving India its first medal at the London Olympics.

Chief Minister N.Kiran Kumar Reddy announced the cash award for Narang when his parents called on him at the state secretariat.

The chief minister congratulated Bhimsen Narang and Amarjit Narang on their son keeping the Indian flag flying high. He hoped that the shooter would win more events at the Olympics and bring further laurels to the country.

The 29-year-old Gagan became the first Hyderabadi to win an Olympic medal. He is also only the second athlete from Andhra Pradesh to bag an Olympic medal.

Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari from Srikakulam district had won a bronze at the Sydney Olympics.