Guv awards Rs 7.1-cr scholarships to sportspersons

The UT Administration today launched online portals to apply for cash awards and Chandigarh Marathon and distributed scholarships to meritorious sportspersons.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria felicitated 1,630 sportspersons with scholarships worth Rs 7.12 crore. Cash prizes to the tune of Rs 7.22 lakh were handed to 12 former and current coaches. The coaches with outstanding achievements in various sports disciplines from 2017 till 2020 were awarded with the cash awards.

In his address, Kataria said the scholarships and awards were not only a symbol of financial support, but also a recognition of the hard work, discipline and dedication of the sportspersons and coaches.

Kataria particularly mentioned the historic victory of the Indian Hockey Team in the Asia Cup. He also announced that the Chandigarh Administration will organise the first International Chandigarh Marathon on November 2. A dedicated portal for the event was launched today and participants from different countries will participate in the marathon.

“Sports plays an important role in youngsters’ upbringing. Introducing them to a sport is the best way to keep them away from drugs. We all have to realise the resolution of ‘Drug-free Chandigarh’ and ‘Every child should join sports’. Sports is not just competition but the basis of discipline, leadership, team spirit and determination in life and these qualities will help India reach the goal of ‘Developed India 2047’, said Kataria.

The progamme was attended by Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary, UT, along with Prerna Puri, Secretary Sports, Sorabh Kumar Arora, Director Sports Department, Dr Mahender, Joint Director Sports, and Sanjay Tandon, Chairman, Standing committee of Administrator’s Advisory Council on Sports.

MoU to help local players

Talking on the sidelines of felicitation ceremony, Kataria maintained that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Departments of Sports and Education Department and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust will help local players to grow under a professional environment.

The MoU covers popularising volleyball among schoolchildren and professional clinics for coaches. “Such MoUs have a long way to go and possibly very beneficial for the local players,” said Kataria.

Asked about signing any other MoU with local sports associations, which are eyeing to run their operations from government owned stadiums, Kataria added that no such approval has been given so far.

“Right now, we have only one MoU. If someone capable approaches us, we will see,” he added. Kataria also appreciated Tandon for arranging a meeting of all sports associations and organising tournaments.