Visakhapatnam/Vizianagaram: Weightlifter Matsa Santoshi, silver medal winner in the Commonwealth Games 2014, arrived in her native Vizianagaram district to a tumultuous welcome Wednesday.
District collector MM Nayak met Santoshi in the morning and conveyed his wishes.
Many officials addressed and wished her and later she was taken in a rally in an open-top car by the District Sports Association. Locals cheered Santoshi all the way as school and college students welcomed her by waving Indian flags.
Being a native of Kondavelagada of Vizianagaram district, Santoshi was felicitated by the district collector and other officials after the rally at Kshatriya Kalyana Mandapam. On the occasion, Vizianagaram in-charge collector B Rama Rao said that Santoshi had brought fame to the district with her achievement. He also assured that a house site would be provided to her family.
ZP Chairperson Shobha Swathi Rani, who was the chief guest of the function, applauded Santoshi and her coach Challa Ramu. She appreciated her parents for their support to her.
The district officials announced a prize money of `7.5 lakh to Santoshi which would be presented by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his tour of at Visakhapatnam on August 8 and 9. Earlier in the day, the City of Destiny too accorded a grand welcome to Santoshi. She was felicitated by AP Weightlifting Association president K Suryanarayana.
Later, addressing a press conference, Santoshi said she was so excited about her achievement in the Commonwealth Games. She would work hard to win more medals in the upcoming tournaments, she added.
She sought the government’s support to focus more on the ensuing Olympic Games. She also asked the government to provide her a job in the sports quota.