CM Revanth Reddy delights boxer Nikhat Zareen

The newly-elected Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting sports excellence by presenting a generous financial assistance of Rs 2 crore to the celebrated boxer, Nikhat Zareen, on Saturday, December 9.

In addition to the financial aid, the Congress-led state government has also decided to allocate a residence in the capital city to the two-time world boxing champion, a gesture that underlines the administration’s acknowledgment of her remarkable achievements.

The felicitation ceremony, attended by pro-tem Assembly speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi and other cabinet ministers, marked a momentous occasion for Zareen, a proud native of Nizamabad district. This recognition aligns with the state’s commitment to nurture and support talent, especially those preparing for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

The financial support was initially announced in May by the former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), who pledged Rs 2 crore to Zareen and assured that the state would cover all expenses related to her training, coaching, and transportation in preparation for the Olympics.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy further extended his support to women in the state by flagging off the free RTC bus travel initiative under the “6 Guarantees – Maha Lakshmi Scheme” and the Rajiv Aarogyasri health insurance scheme.

This recognition and support for Nikhat Zareen have been consistent throughout the year, with earlier acknowledgments by PCC Chief A. Revanth Reddy and Congress leaders. In January, Zareen was felicitated, and Revanth Reddy presented her with a cheque of 5 lakh as a token of appreciation during an event at Nizam Club.

In response to the support, Nikhat Zareen expressed her gratitude, emphasizing that such shows of appreciation play a vital role in fueling the passion of athletes. She believes that this kind of support will undoubtedly encourage athletes to bring more laurels to the nation. The gestures from the government highlight the importance of recognizing and nurturing sporting talent, reflecting a commitment to the holistic development of athletes in the state.