Pune, Maharashtra – Suresh Kusale, father of Paris Olympics bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale, voiced strong dissatisfaction on Monday regarding the Maharashtra government’s prize money for his son. Kusale criticized the state for offering only ₹2 crore to his Olympic achiever, highlighting that Haryana provides significantly higher rewards to its athletes.
Swapnil Kusale, a 29-year-old from Kolhapur, secured the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics in August. Despite his remarkable achievement, Kusale’s father believes the recognition and rewards from the Maharashtra government are insufficient compared to those offered by Haryana. He demanded a prize of ₹5 crore along with a flat near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.
Addressing reporters in Kolhapur, Suresh Kusale emphasized, “The Haryana government awards ₹5 crore to each Olympic medalist—₹6 crore for gold, ₹4 crore for silver, and ₹2.5 crore for bronze. In contrast, Maharashtra’s new policy offers only ₹2 crore for a bronze medal.” He pointed out that Swapnil is only the second individual Olympic medalist from Maharashtra since wrestler K.D. Jadhav in 1952, questioning the state’s reward criteria.
Of the five Indian medalists at the Paris Olympics, four hailed from Haryana, while Swapnil Kusale was the sole representative from Maharashtra. “Why should our state set such stringent criteria when only two athletes have achieved individual Olympic medals in decades?” Kusale questioned. He also pondered whether the modest rewards were influenced by his humble background, asking, “Would the reward have been the same if Swapnil were the son of an MLA or a minister?”
In addition to the financial demands, Suresh Kusale requested that the 50-meter three-position rifle shooting arena at the Balewadi Sports Complex be named in his son’s honor. “Swapnil deserves a ₹5 crore award and a flat near the sports stadium to facilitate his training. Naming the shooting arena after him would be a fitting tribute,” he stated.
Following his Olympic success, Swapnil Kusale received a promotion from his employer, Central Railway, and was appointed as an officer on special duty. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has recently announced plans to double the prize money for athletes winning medals at major sporting events, including the Olympics, World Championships, and Asian Games.
As the debate over athlete rewards continues, Swapnil Kusale’s achievements have ignited a conversation about equitable recognition for sportsmen across different states in India.
