Haryana cancels CWG award function over boycott threat

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 25

The Haryana Government on Wednesday cancelled the felicitation ceremony for the state’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) medallists after some of them threatened to boycott the function over a proposed cut in the award money. Several medallists, some of them employed with the Railways and the Army, are reportedly upset with the state government’s move to reduce the prize money since they are also to be awarded by their employers.

“Our sports policy clearly states that the government will award players from Haryana who play for Haryana,” Sports Minister Anil Vij said. “However, we relaxed the policy to include those representing the Army or the Railways. Haryana pays Rs 1.5 crore to its gold medallists while the Railways pays Rs 50 lakh. If we do not reduce the award money to such players, those who play for Haryana will be at a disadvantage,” he explained. As many as 13 of the 22 CWG medal-winners from Haryana are Central Government employees.

Asked whether the government planned to deny the award money to those not representing Haryana, he said a decision would be taken after a review meeting. Top athletes Neeraj Chopra, Manoj Kumar, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia had announced they would boycott the award ceremony.