PCI announces cash award of Rs 10 lakh for Girisha

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) today announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh for Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda for his silver medal leap at the London Paralympics.

The committee, however, expressed disappointment at the apathy towards the disabled sportsperson. Girisha, who has an impairment in his left leg, sailed over a height of 1.74m in the Men's High Jump F42 event on Monday to finish behind gold medallist Iliesa Delana of Fiji.

"PCI is disappointed that no one is coming forward to give the cash prize to this athlete while the only difference of this medal is that this is for disabled," the PCI said in a statement while congratulating Grisha for his effort.

The committee pointed out there was no difference between the Olympics and the Paralympics, as far as their status were concerned. "The status of Olympics and Paralympics is same," it insisted.

The president of the PCI Sultan Ahmed, meanwhile, appealed to corporates to come forward to give Girisha more awards.