Touched by Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu’s gesture to donate Rs 30 lakh from his prize money to his school, Sports Minister, Vijay Goel, on Monday said that all athletes backed by the government should try to set up academies or centres of their own to inspire the youth.
Mariyappan, who scripted history at Rio Paralympics after winning a gold medal in high jump, donated Rs 30 lakhs from his prize money of Rs 2 crores towards his government school in Tamil Nadu.
It’s a great thing, a great step taken by Mariyappan, this will inspire others. I think all athletes who are helped by the government can try to set up academies or sports centres of their own. This will definitely inspire one and all.Vijay Goel, Sports Minister, India
Mariyappan hails from Periyavadagampatti, a village located 50 km from Salem in the western part of Tamil Nadu.
(With inputs from PTI)
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