By IANS
Ahmedabad : The Pathan brothers from Vadodara, Irfan and Yusuf, who starred in India’s Twenty20 World Championship victory, will receive a cash reward of Rs.500,000 each from the Gujarat government, it was announced Wednesday.
As various states announced cash rewards and other incentives to individual players and the team after the thrilling victory of Monday, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was facing criticism, especially from the opposition Congress, for not honouring the duo.
Modi finally relented, though the announcement was made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh.
Addressing party workers, Singh said: “It is a ploy of the Congress and the communists to portray Modi as a communalist and anti-Muslim.”
He said the chief minister had decided to create an endowment of Rs.10 million for the benefit of sportspersons who excel in their chosen sport. They will be given awards and incentives from the interest money accruing from the principal.