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The BCCI has announced a significant initiative in support of Indian athletes gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jay Shah, Secretary of the BCCI, tweeted about the board’s decision to contribute 8.5 Crores to the Indian Olympic Association for the upcoming Games.
India will be represented by 117 athletes across various sports at the Paris Olympics, which commences on July 26.
Among the notable Indian athletes competing this year are V Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, Neeraj Chopra, Olympic gold medalist, Mirabai Chanu, Olympic silver medalist, Lovlina Borgohain, Olympic bronze medalist, and Sharath Kamal, who will carry India’s flag during the Olympic Opening Ceremony alongside Sindhu.
“I am proud to announce that the @BCCI will be supporting our incredible athletes representing #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign. To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind” said Jay Shah on Sunday.
Following India’s T20 World Cup victory last month, Jay Shah disclosed the substantial prize money of INR 125 Crore allocated to the Indian cricketers who competed in the tournament.
During his tenure, Shah has overseen significant advancements in both the administrative and technical aspects of the BCCI. As Secretary, he has been actively involved in enhancing facilities for both men’s and women’s cricketers.
Recently, he made headlines by announcing equal pay for men’s and women’s cricketers. Ahead of the Women’s Asia Cup, the President of the Asian Cricket Council conveyed his best wishes to all participating teams.
“I’m pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing a pay equity policy for our contracted women cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian Cricket,” Shah tweeted last year.
“The @BCCIWomen cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). Pay equity was my commitment to our women cricketers and I thank the Apex Council for their support. Jai Hind,” he added in another tweet.
Following the India men’s team’s recent triumph in securing their second T20 World Cup title last month, the Indian women’s team is presently engaged in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. They have commenced their title defense in impressive fashion, securing convincing victories in their initial matches. India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets and UAE by a margin of 78 runs.
