Gukesh, Pragg get Rs 15 lakh each as TN awards Rs 60 lakh to Olympiad medallists
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured the state's 2026 Chess Olympiad medallists, distributing Rs 60 lakh among five recipients. D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa received Rs 15 lakh each, while Savitha Shri, R Vaishali and captain Srinath Narayanan were awarded Rs 10 lakh each. The state also launched its Dream Olympics 2036 scheme to support athletes with training and nutrition costs.
In a ceremony held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured five chess players for their performances at the 2026 Chess Olympiad by awarding a total of Rs 60 lakh. World champions D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa received Rs 15 lakh each, while Savitha Shri B, R Vaishali, and Indian Open team captain Srinath Narayanan were awarded Rs 10 lakh each.
Gukesh, who won an individual silver medal and helped India secure silver in the Open team event, and Praggnanandhaa, who won an individual bronze medal and contributed to India's team silver, were the top awardees. Savitha Shri and Vaishali each received Rs 10 lakh for their individual gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the women's team events.
Srinath, who captained India's Open team, also received Rs 10 lakh. The ceremony also recognised medal winners from the Asian Games in Nagoya, and Tamil Nadu launched its Dream Olympics 2036 scheme, which will provide financial assistance to athletes competing at major events.
Brief written by urgent.news from Times of India's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
