M A I N   N E W S

Punjab athletes eye Haryana
State yet to honour its winners, cash award half of its neighbour’s
Sarbjit Dhaliwal & Kusum Arora
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 2
A day after Haryana virtually showered its Commonwealth Games medal winners with money and gifts, some disappointed sportspersons in Punjab are contemplating defecting to the neighbouring state in search of honour and better money. This at a time when all athletes should be thinking of is the Guangzhou Asian Games that begin on November 12.

“We feel distressed and disrespected. The Punjab Government could spend Rs 5 crore on the World Kabaddi Cup but it has no money to honour us,” says a dejected Commonwealth Games medal winner. The Punjab Government is yet to honour its medal winners. The cash award announced for medal winners is not even half of Haryana’s.

Another sportsperson currently preparing for the Asian Games in Patiala says that the idea of crossing over to Haryana has been on their minds for two days. “Many of us are convinced that Haryana will offer us a better future and recognition. And obviously, good money,” he confesses candidly. “We come from ordinary families and have spent huge sums to train to reach the podium. How long can our parents support us?” he asks.

The Hooda Government had yesterday honoured state sportspersons at an impressive public function. Commonwealth Games gold, bronze and silver medal winners walked away with Rs 15 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, apart from a car and ghee tins.

While all departments such as Railways, ONGC and Army have honoured medal winner with cash awards, the Punjab Police is yet to award gold medallist Manjit Kaur who played a crucial role in winning the top spot in the 4x400 metre relay. The ONGC and Railways have given gold medal winners Rs 15 lakh while the Army has given Rs 12 lakh.

Haryana has already announced cash awards for Asian Games winners. A gold would translate into Rs 25 lakh for the medallist while silver and bronze medals would fetch athletes Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively.