Vij: Cong withheld prize money of Asian Games winners

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, June 23

Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij said today that MP Deepender Singh Hooda should stage a dharna in front of his father’s house, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for not paying of prize money to Asian Games winners during the Congress rule.

“The previous government led by Hooda announced the prize money for the sake of publicity,” the minister said.

Vij said the Congress government had announced prize money of Rs70 crore for sportspersons, but had not made provision for it in the Budget. Asian Games were held during the tenure of previous Congress government whereas National Games were organised during the tenure of the present government.

We have made arrangements to honour the national games winners, but honouring them alone would have demoralised the Asian Games winners. Therefore, after getting approval from Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar the date for prize distribution function would soon be announced.

Vij said all players, including those of the National Games held at Kerala, junior hockey team and Asian Games would be rewarded at the prize distribution ceremony.

A sum of Rs48.8 crore is payable to winners of Asian Games held during the Congress Government. Apart from this, Rs21.2 crore is outstanding towards 2,107 participants from all districts, he added.