Andhra Pradesh

Windfall awaits games medallists from Andhra

V. V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: At last, there is something to cheer about for all medallists from Andhra Pradesh in the Doha Asian Games last December and the Guwahati National Games early this year.

For, after a long wait, the Government has finally decided to disburse cash incentives by this month-end not only for them and also for the medallists in the World and the Asian Championships, the senior and sub-junior nationals, totalling about Rs. 3.66 crores.

Prof. P.Chinnappa Reddy, Technical Advisor to State Government (Sports & Physical Education), admits that it was a delay which caused major embarrassment.

“But always better late than never. Now we are awaiting the nod from the Chief Minister’s Office to confirm a date to give away these incentives,” he told The Hindu.

In fact, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy stunned the National Games-bound contingent at the kits presentation ceremony with a cash bonanza of Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 2 lakhs (for gold, silver and bronze medallists).

Andhra athletes won 58 medals (21 gold, 17 silver and 20 bronze) to finish 11th in Guwahati, though a far cry from the first position in the 2002 Hydearbad Games.

Apparently, the likes of ace shooter Gagan Narang who won the gold in the China World Championship besides three bronze in the Doha Asiad, Koneru Humpy, the double gold medallist in the Doha Asian Games, will be delighted.

Prof. Reddy also reveals that even if there is a shortfall from the earmarked budget for these incentives, the SAAP is ready to clear off all dues though as per G.O. Ms. No.84 cash incentives are not eligible for medallists in Asian and the Commonwealth Championships since there were precedents.

“We are not in the mood to delay it any further,” he said.

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