Bhubaneswar: People of Odisha Sunday slipped into a celebratory mood after news of sprinter Srabani Nanda came in that she has qualified for the Rio Olympics in the women’s 200 meter event.
Wishes and rewards poured in for the ace athlete as state government and other sports bodies announced a cash reward for her.
While Sports department announced Rs 1 lakh, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) announced Rs 1 lakh, Odisha Olympics Association (OOA) and Odisha Athletic Association (OAA) announced Rs 50, 000 each.
We would give a rousing welcome to Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda after their return from Kazakhstan, OCA Secretary Ashirbad Behera said.
Apart from heads of sports associations, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Sports and Youth Services Minister Sudam Marandi and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated Srabani for achieving the historic feat, Odisha Sun Times Bureau reported.
“Congratulate Srabani Nanda on qualifying for #Rio2016. A glorious moment for Odisha sports. Wish her all success,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.
Notably, Srabani clocked 23.07 seconds in the 200-meter race at the G Kosanov Memorial Meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan as against the qualifying mark of 23.20 seconds.
“Extremely proud of Srabani Nanda’s accomplishment. She has done Odisha & India very proud. Best wishes for #Rio2016,” Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.
Congratulatory messages also poured in on social media platforms wishing Srabani for success in the Olympics scheduled to be held in August.