UT Sports Dept to make application process for cash awards hassle-free

The UT Sports Department is ready with a prototype software developed for the benefit of Chandigarh’s meritorious sportspersons who struggle to apply for cash awards.

In order to make the process hassle-free, the software will allow local sportspersons to upload and upgrade their achievements online at regular intervals, and will also help officials to track those eligible for cash awards. At present, sportspersons from Chandigarh have to fill a form online and upload their certificates of achievements.

“We are almost ready with the software and it will be open for sportspersons soon. It will be majorly beneficial for those who have represented the country and won accolades,” said a top official of the department.

Recently, a total cash award of nearly Rs 5 crore was given to national achievers as per the New Sports Policy, and nearly Rs 50 lakh was awarded to those who bagged laurels for the city at international level from 2018 till the formation of the New Sports Policy in 2023.

The department recently awarded scholarships to 2,394 sportspersons at a function held in the Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42. Last year, as many as 311 international and national achievers from the city were awarded cash prizes to the tune of nearly Rs 4 crore.

“Our majority of the process is online, but to cover the hassle of uploading the certificates, countersigning and cross-checking, the department is coming up with this software. For example, if a sportsperson has returned after playing a national or international event, he/she can upload the same information right away with supporting documents,” added another official.