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Swapnil Kusale's father, Suresh Kusale, has expressed disappointment over the Maharashtra government's prize money of Rs 2 crore for his son's bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. He believes the amount is insufficient compared to the rewards given by other states like Haryana.Suresh Kusale claims that Haryana offers Rs 5 crore to its Olympic medalists, regardless of the medal's color. He questions why Maharashtra has established a prize money structure that does not adequately recognize the rarity of an Olympic medal from the state.He points out that Swapnil is only the second individual Olympic medalist from Maharashtra in 72 years, after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952. He argues that such a rare achievement deserves a more substantial reward.Suresh Kusale also criticizes the government's decision to award Rs 5 crore to gold medalists, Rs 3 crore to silver medalists, and Rs 2 crore to bronze medalists. He believes this criteria is unfair, as it does not account for the fact that only a handful of athletes from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals.He suggests that the government should consider naming the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi after his son. He also demands a flat near the stadium for Swapnil's convenience in training.Suresh Kusale's concerns highlight the need for a more equitable and merit-based approach to rewarding Olympic medalists in Maharashtra. He believes that the state should recognize the exceptional achievements of its athletes and provide them with the support they need to continue their success.

The 152nd Open Championship, scheduled for July 18-21 at Royal Troon, will witness a significant increase in prize money, with the winner set to receive a record-breaking USD 3.1 million. This marks a half-a-million-dollar increase from the previous edition, bringing the total prize purse to USD 17 million.The R&A, the governing body of the Open, has emphasized the need to balance the tournament's global standing with the funding required for amateur and recreational golf development worldwide. CEO Martin Slumbers expressed concerns about the impact of substantial prize money increases on the sport's perception and long-term financial sustainability.The Open remains committed to supporting the growth of golf globally, with additional prize money being allocated if more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds. However, prize money will decrease by USD 125 per qualifying place above 70, with a minimum of USD 37,650.Non-qualifiers will also receive financial compensation, with the leading 10 and tied professional golfers among those not making the cut receiving USD 12,350 each. The following 20 professional golfers and ties will receive USD 10,300, while the remainder and ties will get USD 8,750.The increased prize money at the Open reflects the tournament's continued status as one of the most prestigious events in golf. It also highlights the R&A's commitment to supporting the sport at all levels, while ensuring its long-term financial health.