In a bid to match his main political rival and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who announced that his government would construct a stadium worth Rs 10 crore, Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Sunday said that his ministry would set up a "splendid" stadium with facilities of international standard.
On the occasion of the prize giving ceremony of 71st Senior National Badminton Championship in Patna, Prasad said all winners of the tournament would get a cash prize of Rs 51,000 each and the runners-up would receive Rs 25,000 each from the Railways.
Promising special facilities, the Minister invited the winners to come and join his ministry.
Coaches of repute Pulela Gopi Chand, Madhumita Bist, Leroy De Sa, Udai Pawar and Vikram Singh Bist received cash prize of Rs 51,000 each for their oustanding contribution to badminton.
Prasad announced that the Railways would give 'free passes for AC travel' to each of the players receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.