Maharashtra Celebrates Cricket Champions with Cash Rewards
The Maharashtra government has honored the state's heroes from the triumphant Indian women's cricket team that clinched the ICC Women's World Cup. In a grand felicitation ceremony held on Friday, star players Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav were each presented with a substantial cash reward of ₹2.5 crore for their historic achievement.
A Glorious Reception at the CM's Residence
The ceremony took place at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's official residence, 'Varsha,' in south Mumbai. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also graced the occasion, celebrating the team's maiden ICC trophy victory. This recognition comes just days after the Indian women's team secured a spectacular win against South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Chief Minister Fadnavis hailed the trio as the "pride of Maharashtra" and emphasized how their victory would inspire a generation of young girls to pursue sports professionally. He specifically highlighted Jemimah Rodrigues's century in the semifinal as a pivotal moment that propelled India into the finals, praising the team's remarkable unity and fighting spirit.
Recognition for Coaching and Support Staff
The felicitation extended beyond the players to include the crucial backbone of the team. Head coach Amol Muzumdar, who also hails from Maharashtra, received a cheque of ₹22.5 lakh. In a gesture acknowledging their contribution, the remaining members of the support staff were each awarded ₹11 lakh.
The event was attended by several key support staff members, including bowling coach Avishkar Salvi, former cricketer Diana Edulji, and analyst Aniruddha Deshpande, among others. CM Fadnavis also took a moment to acknowledge the efforts of BCCI and ICC chairman Jay Shah in the significant development of women's cricket in India.
