The Sports Minister Pargat Singh today approved the cash prizes, in limbo since 2 years, to the players and Coaches hailing from State who performed exceedingly well at the State, National and International level. A total of over 3000 players would be given prize money amounting to Rs. 11 crore for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20.The decision was taken here in a meeting held at Punjab Bhawan summoned under the aegis of the Sports Minister. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Sports Ajoy Sharma, Director Parminder Singh, Secretary General Punjab Olympic Association Raja K.S. Sidhu, Sports expert and Committee Member Arjuna Awardee Colonel Balbir Singh and Jaipal Singh apart from Deputy Director Sports Authority of India.In a communique after the meeting, the Minister said that the State Government is committed to reward the players winning medals in various sports till International level with the cash prizes as per the Sports policy.
He also mentioned that these awards lying dormant since 2 years would be given within one month and the list of players and Coaches would be finalized in few days.The Sports Minister directed the department that no player who has earned laurels for Punjab, should be left behind with regard to receiving of the cash prize. Giving details, he said that more than 1000 players as well as coaches would be the recipient of cash prizes while for the year 2019-20, more than 2000 players and Coaches would receive the honours.In another decision, Mr. Pargat Singh decided to summon the meeting of awardees and ex Olympians belonging to Punjab in which the issues afflicting them would be thoroughly discussed and suggestions taken to create congenial atmosphere for sports. In the same vein, a meeting would also be held with the Punjab Olympic Association to have more robust coordination with the other sports associations.