Hokato Hotozhe Sema celebrates after winning Bronze medal in in the Men's Shot Put - F57 Final at Stade de France , Paris on September 6. (Image Courtesy: @Neiphiu_Rio/X)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 7
The Government of Nagaland has announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for Hokato Hotozhe Sema, who created history by becoming the first Olympic medallist for the State. He achieved this feat at the ongoing Paralympic Games Paris 2024 on September 6 by winning Bronze in the Men's Shot Put - F57 Final. Hokato’s throw of 14.65-metre, his personal best, in the final at Stade de France , Paris on September 6, was enough to enter record book.
According to the official Paralympic website, he achieved the feat on his 4th attempt out of six available in the final. World record holder Yasin Khosravi of Iran took the Gold with a Paralympic Record of 15.96m, while Brazil’s Thiago Paulino dos Santos took home the Silver with a throw of 15.06m.
In an update on X, Nagaland Chief Minister made the cash reward announcement hailing the first Olympic medallist from the State.
“We're proud & joyous for Mr. Hokato Hotozhe Sema on winning Bronze at the #ParalympicsGames in Shot Put event. He's made India proud & Nagaland shine. Being the 1st Olympic Medalist from Nagaland, I'm happy to announce that the Nagaland Govt will extend a cash reward of ₹1.5Cr,” he posted.
CM Rio also informed that the State Government will recommend his name to Government of India to bestow him with Arjuna Awards, the second-highest sporting honour of India.
He further informed that the State Government will also take up with the Indian Army and Union Ministry of Defence for Hokato’s promotion “as an extraordinary case not only for his Olympic & Asian Games achievements but also for his gallant service to the Nation.”
Other measures in the promotion of sports, in his name, will also be taken up by the State Government, the CM added.
