CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Sept 20: The Jharkhand government has decided to reward Olympic gold medalists with a hefty amount worth Rs 2 crores as per its new sports policy. Apart from gold winners, the reward for silver and bronze winners are Rs one crore and Rs 75 lakh respectively.
Moreover, the participants in the Olympics will also be awarded prize money worth Rs five lakh.
Similarly, athletes participating in world cups and world championships will also be awarded prize money worth Rs 20 lakh for winning gold, Rs 15 lakh for winning silver and Rs 10 lakh for winning bronze respectively. Participants will be awarded Rs 1.50 lakh.
Further, the sports policy also aims to provide pensions to ex-athletes from the state. Athletes who have won Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyanchand Award, ex-Olympians and medalists at Asian Games who are now retired will be granted a monthly pension worth Rs 10,000. After their death, their family will be provided with a monthly pension worth Rs 5,000.
However, players who have worked for the state government, Indian government and PSUs will not be eligible for this pension scheme.
Moreover, the new sports policy has also paid particular emphasis with regard to the job security of athletes in the state. Athletes will be provided jobs on the basis of direct recruitment. The Jharkhand govt will also provide sports scholarships to emerging players of recognised sports in the state.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, while unveiling the sports policy earlier this month said that the policy would be amended from time to time as per the need.
“I have also given instructions to the Department of Tourism, Art-Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs in this regard. In the coming time, a provision would be made to give a minimum of Rs 50,000 as assistance to the players by bringing changes in the sports policy,” he said.
