Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Monday presented a draft of Rs.10 million to Abhinav Bindra for winning a gold medal in the 10 metre air rifle shooting event at the Beijing Olympics.

Abhinav has become the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in Olympics.

Badal said this is a historic achievement for the whole nation. He urged Bindra to utilize his talent in training budding players of Punjab in rifle shooting so that they could also win gold medals for the country.

Bindra is the youngest Olympian from India. He participated in the Sydney Olympics in 2000 at the age of 18. He is also the youngest recipient of the Arjuna award (2000) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2001).

Badal also announced the state's policy to provide excellent infrastructure and training facilities to young players to help them compete in international events.
Source : IANS