Mangalore: State Minister for Sports, Abhayachandra Jain announced cash award of Rs 10 lakhs for athletes who won gold medals, Rs 7 lakhs for the silver medalists and Rs 5 to the bronze medalists of Asian Games, which was held in Incheon, South Korea. The minister announced the cash awards on Tuesday, while receiving M.R Poovamma at the Mangalore International Airport.

City welcomes Poovamma

Mangalore welcomed the golden girl M.R Poovamma, who bagged gold in 400mts rally and bronze in the 400m race. The reception was hosted by district administration and district athletic association. District in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai, Manglaore South MLA J.R Lobo, DC A.B Ibrahim along with parents and fans of Poovamma welcomed her and was taken on a procession in an open jeep from Ambedkar Circle to Mangala stadium.

Earlier, Poovamma told presspersons that she aims to participate in the Rio Olympics in 2016.