Chennai Chief Minister Vijay on Wednesday launched the ‘Dream Olympic’ scheme, aimed at supporting athletes preparing for the Olympic Games. The announcement was made at a felicitation event held at Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai.
The programme honoured sportspersons who won medals at the Asian Games and the International Olympiad Chess tournament. The Chief Minister hosted the medal winners and presented them with incentive awards.
Under the new scheme, athletes who win at the Asian Games or Commonwealth Games and qualify for the Olympics will receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1 lakh. The government said the overall support, including this assistance, could go up to Rs 50 lakh per athlete per year.
At the event, incentives were also distributed to multiple groups of achievers: Rs 7.65 crore to 13 Asian Games medal winners, Rs 60 lakh to five medal winners from the 40th International Olympiad Chess tournament, Rs 14 lakh to two athletes heading to the Asian Para Olympics, and Rs 18 lakh to the Tamil Nadu team that won the National Sub-Junior Women’s Basketball tournament.
In total, the Chief Minister distributed incentive amounts worth Rs 8.57 crore, according to the announcement made at the function.
