Medal winners of 38th National Games to receive cash rewards on National Sports Day
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Sports minister Rekha Arya said that players who won medals for the State during the 38th National Games will receive cash rewards on National Sports Day, set for August 29. She said this during a review meeting held on Monday.
Arya stated that the government has approved Rs 15 crore for the cash prizes for these medal-winning athletes. Applications have been requested from the players and the prize money will be distributed on National Sports Day. She also said that players who secured medals for the State in national and international competitions between July 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, will also be eligible for cash prizes.
Additionally, Arya instructed officials to develop a comprehensive model for a sports university in the State by studying the existing models, courses and staff structures of sports universities across the country. She emphasised the need for prompt government approval regarding the number of positions required for the university. Arya also directed officials to correspond with the UGC to ensure the university’s courses receive recognition. The concerns raised by the Forest department regarding the proposal for the sports university are being addressed. Arya called for swift action so that the foundation stone can be laid on National Sports Day, August 29.
Further, Arya said that the growing demand for the creation of additional positions in various departments is to provide direct employment to athletes who have won medals in national games and other competitions at both national and international levels. In the past, the government had stated that 57 vacant positions should be filled first. However, in the meeting held on Monday, it was decided that all eligible athletes should be appointed simultaneously, necessitating the creation of supernumerary posts. She directed the special principal secretary of Sports to seek government approval for these posts as soon as possible. The Sports department is requesting more than 400 supernumerary positions from the government to facilitate immediate appointments for medal-winning athletes in the future, she said.
Further, Arya assured that financial support for young players selected under the Mukhyamantri Udyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana will be disbursed within a week. She said that the selection process for these players has been completed and their bank accounts are currently being updated. The funds will soon be released to the players through DBT.
