The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : YSR promises goodies to likely medallists in National Games

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

YSR promises goodies to likely medallists in National Games

V.V. Subrahmanyam

It is to be held from February 9 to 19

GET SET GO: Players from the State line up in the city on Monday before leaving for the 33rd National Games, which is to be held at Guwahati. -PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: It was a pleasant surprise for the 360-odd athletic contingent of Andhra Pradesh leaving for Guwahati to take part in the National Games to be held from February 9 to 19. And the response was on the expected lines as Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced a cash bonanza for the likely medallists.

"The State Government will not be found wanting in support for the performing athletes. And in tune with our policy to promote sports, we have decided to give the gold medallists Rs.5 lakhs, silver medallists Rs.3 lakhs and bronze medallists Rs.2 lakhs," the Chief Minister announced amidst applause. Apparently responding to the feedback provided by Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP and president of Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association, the Chief Minister decided to ensure that the strong contingent will leave in high spirits for Guwahati. "We sincerely hope that Andhra Pradesh will get more medals than in the previous edition. Every effort was made to see that the athletes were given good training facilities in the preparatory camps," he remarked.

Rajagopal alleged that if it was `import policy' which brought a huge haul of medals in the Hyderabad edition of 2002 Games, this time around the thrust is on "our own strength". J.R. Anand, Principal Secretary to State Government (Y&AT) and Chairman of SAAP, said that the Government spent about Rs. 53 lakhs for the National Games, which came roughly to Rs.5,000 on each athlete competing in the Games.

Dr. N. Nageswara Rao, SAAP VC&MD, said that with constant monitoring of the preparatory camps for the games in the 20 disciplines , certain amount of accountability was ensured from the coaches and the athletes. "The onus is on the athletes now to perform," he said. Later, the Chief Minister had a brief interaction with the athletes wishing them best of luck. Athens Olympian J.J. Shobha was one of the first to acknowledge the gesture with a beaming face. "Despite the security threats, we are keen to do well," she said, reflecting the general mood of the Andhra squad.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh