Not feted for 2 years, 3K Punjab players to get Rs 11 cr

Chandigarh, October 18

Sports Minister Pargat Singh today approved cash prizes, withheld for the past two years, to players and coaches hailing from Punjab who performed well at the state, national and international levels. Over 3,000 players will be given prize money amounting to Rs 11 crore for 2018-19 and 2019-20. The decision was taken during a meeting at Punjab Bhavan.

In a statement after the meeting, the minister said the state government was committed to reward the players winning medals in various sports with cash prizes as per the sports policy. He also said the awards would be given within a month and the list of players and coaches would be finalised in a few days.

In another decision, Pargat Singh decided to call a meeting of awardees and ex-Olympians belonging to Punjab in which the issues afflicting them would be discussed and suggestions taken to create a congenial atmosphere for sports. A meeting would also be held with the Punjab Olympic Association to have more robust coordination with the other sports associations.— TNS