The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Rich medal haul has SAAP in a fix

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 14, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Rich medal haul has SAAP in a fix

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Cash incentive scheme for medal winners worries the sports body

HYDERABAD: The Chandrababu Naidu Government had set an unprecedented example in the past for the rest of the country in giving cash incentives for the medallists at Olympics, Asian Games and even National Games. The grandeur of the civic receptions accorded to Sydney Olympics bronze medalist Karanam Malleswari and the 2001 All England champion Pullela Gopi Chand are still fresh in memory.

Now, Doha has turned out to be a lucky venue for the athletes from Andhra Pradesh. But officials of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh are worried as the medal haul in the Doha Asian Games has surpassed all expectations.

Why then this tinge of worry? As per the State Government's sports policy of the year 2000, the gold medal winner gets a cash incentive of Rs.10 lakhs, while a silver medal winner gets Rs.7.5 lakhs and the bronze winner - Rs.5 lakhs.

The grim faced officials of the cash-starved SAAP concede that never dreamt that athletes from the State would get so many medals.

Even a relatively unknown golfer Anirban Lahiri landed a silver in the team golf event in Doha is a big example of how the performances of many players took the sports administrators by total surprise.

Already the parents of the medal-winning athletes have begun enquiries about the likely amounts to be given as incentives.

They hope that they will not be disappointed by any deliberate attempt to deny them the money in this moment of glory. Significantly, the sports policy also stipulates that the gold medallists in Asiad be appointed first promotion level (below Gazzetted Officers) in Government departments of their (athletes) choice.

Government jobs

And all those who win at least one Asiad medal will be appointed as Sub-Inspector in the Police Department, in relaxation of all other rules of recruitment.

Interestingly, even representation in the Asian \ Commonwealth \ SAF Games will ensure PET job in high school \ Class II posts in Government, in any department of the player's choice. The key provision for this is that if needed, the Government will create supernumerary posts to accommodate such sportspersons.

Would the Government honour the guidelines, is the issue being debated hotly by sports lovers in the twin cities.

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