Gujarat Government Rewards Shooter Elavenil Valarivan with Rs 1.33 Crore for Asian Games Success
Recognition for Elavenil Valarivan's Achievements
Photo: IANS
Gandhinagar, Sep 28: The government of Gujarat has presented rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan with a financial reward of Rs 1.33 crore as part of its 'Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana' following her impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, bringing her total financial incentives from the state to Rs 2.41 crore.
On Monday, Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi honored Valarivan for securing silver medals in both the women's 10m air rifle team and individual events during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Valarivan contributed to India's silver medal in the team event and later clinched another silver in the individual category, scoring 252.4 in the final, just behind Japan’s Taichi Hinata, who set a Games record with a score of 253.0.
While congratulating her, Sanghavi emphasized the government's dedication to equipping athletes with the necessary training and facilities for international competitions.
He remarked, “An athlete’s success on the global stage is a culmination of their hard work and the unwavering support from their families throughout their journey.”
Sanghavi also noted Valarivan’s connection to the Sanskardham complex, where she was educated under the state’s DLSS scheme, stating that her achievements at the Asian Games have brought honor to Gujarat.
“The accomplishments of athletes nurtured at Sanskardham can motivate countless young sports enthusiasts across the state,” he added.
The Gujarat government revealed that Valarivan had previously received Rs 1.33 crore through the Shaktidoot Scheme and the Olympic Incentive Scheme, along with Rs 74 lakh from various initiatives, including the DLSS Scheme and Khel Mahakumbh.
This latest reward elevates the total financial support provided to Valarivan by the state government to Rs 2.41 crore.
Residing in Ahmedabad’s Maninagar area, Valarivan has been part of the Shaktidoot Scheme since the 2017-18 season and currently holds an ‘A’ category status within the program.
The 27-year-old athlete has represented India at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. She achieved gold at the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2019 with a score of 251.7 and was honored with the Arjuna Award by the Central government in 2022.
Her international accolades also include medals from the Junior World Cups in Suhl and Sydney in 2018, as well as achievements at the Asian Airgun Championships and the World University Games in Chengdu, alongside podium finishes in international events held in Munich and Kazakhstan in 2025.
Valarivan’s two medals at the Asian Games came eight years after her first continental appearance, where a rifle malfunction hindered her from advancing to the finals.