London medallists Kumar, Narang to cash awards from NRAI

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has announced cash awards of Rs 20 lakh to  London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar and Rs 15 lakh to bronze winner Gagan Narang for bringing laurels to the country in the mega event.

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While Kumar clinched a silver in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, Narang bagged a bronze in the 10m air rifle competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London, the venue for shooting events.

"President Raninder Singh has announced cash awards to Shri Vinay Kumar (Rs 20 lakh) and Shri Gagan Narang (Rs 15 lakh) for winning medals in Olympics. Cheques will be handed over to the winners at a function that will be organised shortly by NRAI," the association said in a statement on Wednesday.

Kumar arrived in Delhi on Wednesday morning to a rousing reception accorded by his employers Indian Army, while Narang checked into the Mumbai airport on Tuesday following which he left for Pune where his academy, Gun for Glory, is based.

National coach Sunny Thomas said that all the 11 shooters have left from London, though not everyone is home-bound.

It was learnt that Beijing Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, trap shooters Ronjan Sodhi and Manavjit Singh Sandhu have left for Italy after drawing blanks in their events at the quadrennial extravaganza.

Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images