Jammu, February 28:
Medal winners of the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand have been given awards in other states, while the players of the state are still waiting for cash awards and a meeting with the Chief Minister. The state has won 25 medals in these games, including five gold medals.
The medal winners have not received anything from the government yet. On the other hand, Odisha, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand have made several announcements for their medal winners. 120 players from Jammu and Kashmir participated in the National Games. Medals have been won in eight sports. A total of seven medals including two gold medals have been won in Wushu. While seven medals including two gold medals have been won in gymnastics. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Sports Minister Satish Sharma have so far met only the Wushu players, while they have not been able to find time for others.
Under the sports policy of Jammu and Kashmir, there is a provision to give 50 thousand rupees to the gold medal winner in the National Games, 25 thousand to the silver medal winner and only 10 thousand rupees to the bronze medal winner, which is less than other states. Such a low incentive amount is cheating the players. Former badminton coach Satpal Sharma said that the government should immediately announce when the players will be honored. The prize money fixed by the government is insufficient. The expenses of the players are more than this prize money.
