Kathmandu, December 11

The government today announced that each gold medallist at the 13th South Asian Games would get at least Rs 900,000.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met all the medallists and officials at his residence in Baluwatar and lauded athletes’ performance in the regional sporting extravaganza that concluded yesterday. Nepal claimed a record 51 gold, 60 silver and 95 bronze medals on the way to winning a total of 206 medals.

Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said the achievement of Nepali athletes was historic and they deserved all the honours. In his announcement, Oli said gold, silver and bronze medal winners in individual events would be rewarded Rs 900,000, Rs 600,000 and Rs 300,000, respectively.

He added that athletes who bagged more than one gold medal would get an extra reward of Rs 200,000 each. Swimming sensation Gaurika Singh bagged four gold medals, while karateka Manday Kaji Shrestha, taekwondo player Ayasha Shakya and golfer Subash Tamang won two golds each, including one in team events.

According to the announcement, gold medal winners in team events will receive Rs 500,000 each.

Member Secretary of National Sports Council, Ramesh Kumar Silwal said, “We are yet to finalise reward amounts for the silver and bronze medal winners of team events.”

Nepal finished second behind all-time champions India, who bagged 174 gold medals. Sri Lanka finished third with 40 golds, followed by Pakistan (31) and Bangladesh (19).