Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on October 9 said players from the state, who won medals at the recently concluded Asian Games in China, will be given cash incentives after their return. Punjab gives Rs 1 crore for gold medal, Rs 75 lakh for silver and Rs 50 lakh for bronze.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games, 33 players from Punjab won 19 medals — eight gold, six silver and five bronze. Addressing a gathering during interaction with coaches here, the chief minister said earlier governments had "not bothered to felicitate medal winner players" but his government will give top priority to it, according to an official release.
Mann said his government will ensure that the medal winners get the cash and other incentives soon after their arrival in the country. It is heartening to note that out of 48 players from the state, who participated in the Asian Games, 33 won a total of 19 medals, the chief minister said, adding that this is the biggest tally of Punjab in the history of Asiad during the post-Independence era.
Lauding the coaches for their roles in a player's life, Mann said they also play an important role in grooming the players for the national and international events. Players excel in fields due to the hard work and confidence infused by coaches, he said.
On the performance of the state players in the Asian Games, Mann said Punjab is blessed with immense talent which has been proved in these games where players won various medals. On one hand the credit goes to dedication of players and on other, the role of coaches cannot also be denied, he noted.
Mann congratulated players and coaches for this display of remarkable sportsmanship in the Asian games. He said the state government is committed to revive the sports culture in the state for which coaches can play a pivotal role.
The state government is making concerted efforts for wiping out the menace of drugs from the state for which sports is being encouraged, he added. Coaches can act as a catalyst in making Punjab a drug-free state by promotion of sports, he said.
He said the state government is incentivising players with cash awards and other facilities to encourage them to perform in national and international events. For the first time, the state players are being given financial assistance to prepare for international events, the chief minister claimed.
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