Jalandhar, October 11
Punjab players are feeling cheated. Sportspersons from the state are yet to receive their share of accolades (prize money) announced by the state government after they won medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games this year.

In a contrast, the Haryana Government has already given away the entire prize money of Rs 13.75 crore to all its CWG medal winners.

"A player from Haryana gets the reward on the ground itself. They do not let them go out of the ground without the prize money. But due to the non-implementation of the sports policy in Punjab since 2010, players are suffering," said Pal Singh Channa, father of Judoka Navjot Channa, who has recently won a silver in the Asian Games.

According to the 2010 sports policy, a player having earned 625 points in various national and international events is entitled to a DSP rank in the Punjab police. Navjot Channa, who has around 1400 points to his credit, till recently was serving as a Head Constable at Punjab Armed Police (PAP) at Jalandhar.

He was hurriedly given the rank of an ASI recently when he filed a case against the state government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Like Channa, many other players are also waiting for their rewards to flow.

Rajwinder Kaur, another judoka from PAP, has been eyeing the DSP's post after securing a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. "While the police department sent the recommendation immediately after she joined back, the government is yet to take a final call," said Kuljinder Singh, her husband.

The cash award was primarily introduced to compensate the medal winners of national and international sports events for the expenses incurred on diet, training and preparation. The prolonged delay in the release of money has affected their motivation levels.

Tejinder Singh Dhaliwal, Director Sports, Punjab, said the department is soon planning to disburse the cash prize to the CWG medal winners. "As far as the prize money is concerned, the department is planning to organise a joint felicitation ceremony for the Commonwealth and Asian games winners. The Home Department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal will take the final call on promotions," said Dhaliwal. 

What’s promised

Gold 16 lakh

Abhinav Bindra, shooting

Silver 11 lakh

Maliaka Goel, shooting

Navjot Channa, judo

Navjot Kaur, wrestling

Indian Hockey team

Bronze 6 lakh

Manavjeet Sandhu, shooting

Arpinder Singh, triple jump