BCCI secretary Jay Shah extends financial support of INR 8.5 crore to the Indian contingent for Paris Olympics 2024
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has announced a significant financial boost for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024. The BCCI will be providing INR 8.5 crore to support the Indian contingent, with the aim of helping athletes perform their best and bring home a record tally of medals.
This move has been made in lieu of helping the Indian contingent give their best at the Paris Olympics 2024, starting from July 26, and bring back home a record tally of medals.
Jay Shah announced this decision on Sunday, July 21, via his X (formerly Twitter) with a post, stating:
“I am proud to announce that the BCCI will be supporting our incredible athletes representing India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign. To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind!”
The announcement of financial support comes on the heels of the Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, held in the USA and West Indies. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. As a reward for their achievement, the BCCI awarded the team INR 125 crore.
BCCI's continued support for Indian Olympic athletes
This is not the first time the BCCI has shown its support for Indian Olympic athletes. Prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Indian cricket board sanctioned INR 10 crore for the Indian contingent. This financial backing was part of the efforts that led to India's best-ever performance at the Olympics, securing a total of seven medals. This included a historic gold medal in javelin by Neeraj Chopra.
Following the Tokyo Olympics, the BCCI also felicitated the medal winners with substantial cash prizes. Neeraj Chopra was awarded INR 1 crore, while Lovlina Borgohain received INR 25 lakh. The Indian hockey team was given INR 1.25 crore. Silver medalists, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, each received INR 50 lakh. Wrestler Bajrang Punia and badminton player PV Sindhu were awarded INR 25 lakh each.