Swapnil Kusale father wants Rs 5 crore flat Pune: Olympic medalist Swapnil Kusale’s father makes staggering demand from Maharashtra government: “Rs 5 crore, flat in Pune”

The father of Paris Olympics bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale has made a staggering demand to the Maharashtra government: Rs 5 crore and a flat in Pune. Swapnil’s father Suresh Kusale expressed disappointment over the state government paying Rs 2 crore prize money to his son and said his son should get Rs 5 crore prize money and a flat near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune to get.Swapnil Kusale (29), who hails from Kolhapur, won a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics in August.

Suresh Kusale said that Haryana gives out a much higher amount to its athletes and claimed, “The Haryana government gives Rs 5 crore to each (Olympic medal winning) player (Haryana gives Rs 6 crore to a gold medalist, Rs 4 crore to the silver medalist ), Rs 2.5 crore for bronze winner).”

“Under a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medalist will get Rs 2 crore. Why is the state setting such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medalist from Maharashtra (after wrestler KD Jadhav in 1952 ) in 72 years?” he asked.

Five individuals won medals at the Paris Olympics for India, four of whom were from Haryana and one, Swapnil Kusale, from Maharashtra. Haryana is a much smaller state compared to Maharashtra but gives higher prize money to its medal-winning athletes, he said.

“However, our government has announced Rs 5 crore for a gold medalist, Rs 3 crore for a silver medalist and Rs 2 crore for a bronze medalist. Why such criteria when only two players from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals in such a short time? many years?” asked Suresh Kusale. “If I had known such an outcome, I would have persuaded him to explore a career in another sport. Is the amount being kept low because Swapnil comes from a humble background? Would the reward amount have remained the same if he had been the son of an MLA or a minister?” he wondered.

‘Shooting range should be named after my son’

Suresh Kusale also said that the 50-metre three-position shooting range at the Sports Complex (in Pune) should be named after his son.

“Swapnil should be given Rs 5 crore as an award, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he could commute easily for practice. Swapnil’s name should be given to the 50-metre three-position rifle shooting arena,” he said when asked about his demands.

After his performance in Paris, the top scorer was promoted by his employer Central Railway and appointed an officer on special duty.

The Maharashtra government recently announced to double the prize money for players who win medals in major sporting events, including the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games, among others.

(With PTI inputs)