Bhubaneswar, Oct. 12: Three weightlifters from Orissa clinched gold medals at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Cape Town in South Africa on Tuesday.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the weightlifters. They have also been promised cash awards by the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA).

The weightlifters from Orissa — Minati Das, Pramila Kirsani and Achyutananda Sahu — won gold medals on the first day of the event yesterday.

Berhampur’s Minati won three gold medals in the 44kg youth category events of clean and jerk, snatch, and for a total lift of 100kg. Pramila won gold in 53kg youth girls’ category here. Achyutananda led the score in the category of 62kg youth boys’ segment.

Congratulating the achievers, Naveen today said the lifters had brought glory to the state as well as the country and this achievement would act as an inspiration for the upcoming sports persons of Orissa. However, announcement of cash awards for the achievers is yet to come from the state government.

But, the OCA has announced cash prize of Rs 50,000 each for the gold medallists. “We wish to develop, promote and popularise all forms of sports by encouraging achievers in different fields,” said Ashirbad Behera, secretary of the OCA and the Orissa Olympic Association (OOA). “Since the OOA does not have as much funds, the OCA has announced the funds from its 10 lakh budget that is dedicated to the growth of all sports,” he said.