NEW DELHI: The Haryana government has decided to cancel awards ceremony for the state’s Commonwealth Games medallists after many athletes declared they would be skipping the event over the government’s proposed cut in their prize money.
The call was taken after a meeting between state chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state sports minister Anil Vij where the point was made about the possibility of the government being embarrassed in case the athletes did not turn up.
Gold medal winners such as wrestler Vinesh Phogat (women’s free style), javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, wrestler Bajrang Punia, Bronze medallist Manoj Kumar, amongst others had opposed the government’s move.
As per Haryana’s sports policy, a CWG Gold medallist from the state was to get Rs 15 million, a Silver medallist Rs 7.5 million and a Bronze medallist Rs 5 million. But the state government subsequently declared that should the athlete represent institutions such as the army or railways and would already be rewarded by them, it shouldn’t have to bear the cost and so would deduct the amount given by the institution from their expected cash award.
Thirteen out of the medal winning 22 athletes have represented such Central government institutions.
Vij said that keeping in mind the opposition of players, the state’s sports policy would be reviewed.
Yet, he backed the government’s decision since under the sports policy, the admissible prize money to players is to be given after deducting the amount paid to them by the department or agency where they are working. He believes that this call was supposed to be taken in the best interests of the athletes so that they get equal respect and there is no favouritism.
“Everyone is aware that Haryana gives highest award money. What we had said is that we will deduct the prize money that they get from their employer, in case of any, from the total reward money,” Vij noted.
