Andhra announces Rs.5 lakh for bronze medallist Santoshi

Hyderabad, July 29 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government Tuesday announced Rs.5 lakh cash award for Matsa Santoshi, who bagged a bronze medal in the 53kg weight lifting event at the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow.

Sports Minister K. Atchannaidu announced the award to the weightlifter for bringing glory to the country and the state.

He lauded the grit and determination of Santoshi, who hails from Kondavelagada village of Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district. She strived from early age to train herself and topped in the national selections for the Commonwealth Games.

The minister said the cash award was announced on the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who had transformed Hyderabad as the sports hub of the country by conducting National Games and Afro Asian Games during his tenure as the chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh.

Atchannaidu said the Andhra Pradesh government had drawn up a comprehensive road map to develop sports infrastructure and training institutes in major towns and cities of the state.