The DMK and Congress on Saturday, 27 April, lauded Tamil Nadu-based athlete Gomathi Marimuthu for clinching gold in the Asian Athletics Championship held in Qatar and announced a total cash incentive of Rs 15 lakh for her.
The 30-year-old unheralded Gomathi had clocked a personal best time of 2 minute 02.70 seconds in the women's 800m race held in Doha, Qatar on 22 April.
DMK President MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh each to Gomathi and Rs five lakh to Arokya Rajiv, who bagged silver in the 4x400m mixed relay team in the championship.
In the 4x400m mixed relay team, which was introduced for the first time in this championship, the Indian quartet of Mohammed Anas, M R Poovamma, V K Vismaya and Rajiv had clocked 3:16.47 to finish second.
"I extend my greetings and appreciation to Gomathi Marimuthu and Arokia Rajiv," Stalin said in a statement.
The party's incentive to the sportspersons was in recognition of their feat, he said.
He wished the two brought more laurels to the country.
TNCC President KS Alagiri said Gomathi had achieved the feat despite hailing from a poor background, with her late father being a labourer, through sheer hard work.
"She has brought pride to the country and I appreciate her on behalf of Tamil Nadu Congress.
I wish she achieves more such honour and to encourage her a sum of Rs five lakh will be provided to her from the Tamil Nadu Congress Trust," he said in a statement.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)