Chandigarh: The Haryana government Saturday announced that any boxer from the state who reaches the quarter-final stage at the Beijing Olympics would get a cash reward of Rs.2.5 million (Rs.25 lakh).

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that all boxers from Haryana who win a medal in their respective categories in the Olympics would be offered the job of deputy superintendent of police (DSP).

The announcement came after Haryana boxers Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar reached the quarter-final stage in the Beijing Olympics and were just a round away from winning a medal in their respective categories.

Akhil Kumar, hailing from Bhiwani town, Friday upset Russian world champion Sergey Vodopyanov in Beijing to reach the quarter-finals in the 54-kg weight category.

Hooda congratulated both boxers and urged all participating players from Haryana to concentrate on their performance and to clinch medals for the country. At least nine participants in the 57-member Indian contingent are from Haryana alone.

The Haryana government has already announced a reward of Rs.20 million (Rs.2 crore) to those players of the state who win a gold medal at the Olympics. Silver and bronze medal winners would get a reward of Rs.10 million (Rs.1 crore) and Rs.5 million (Rs.50 lakh) each.
Source : IANS