CM gave Rs 14.77 crore to 21 medal winners

Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu presented cash prizes of Rs 14.77 crore to 21 international medal winners at a function held here today. He said the state government was committed to rewarding the struggle of sportspersons and promoting a strong sports culture in the state. “My government has made unprecedented increase in prize money to encourage sportspersons and motivate youth to take part in sports. The prize money for athletes who have overcome physical challenges has been increased eight times to make it at par with able-bodied sportspersons,” Sukhu said. He said the prize money for gold medal winners in Olympics, Winter Olympics and Paralympics has been increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore, while silver and bronze medal winners will now get Rs 3 crore and Rs 2 crore respectively. “The prize money for Asian Games and Para Asian Games gold medallists has been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 4 crore, silver medallists from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 2.50 crore and bronze medallists from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1.50 crore. Commonwealth Games medallists will now get Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively,” he said. The chief minister said his government has also increased the diet money for sportspersons. “Under-17 and Under-19 players now get Rs 400 and Rs 500 per day for state and national level competitions as compared to Rs 150 and Rs 250. The allowance for Under-14 players has been increased from Rs 120 and Rs 250 to Rs 250 and Rs 400. Players staying in hostels are now getting Rs 400 per day,” he said. Besides, the government has also revised the travel allowance – players are entitled to AC three-tier fare for distances up to 200 km and economy class airfare for longer distances. Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma thanked the chief minister for increasing the prize and diet money of players.