Now, no awards for unrecognized tournaments in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government, in another order issued on Tuesday, clarified its stand on athletes eligible to get the cash awards as per the Haryana Sports and Physical Fitness Policy, 2015.
The circular states that it will give awards to athletes who fall under senior category of any national/international tournament. But, the athletes who have won medals in corresponding junior, sub-junior and youth categories will not be taken into consideration for cash incentives.

However, it has made an exception giving cash rewards to those players featuring in the Youth Asian Games, Youth Olympic Games, Youth Commonwealth Games and National School Games.

Ashok Khemka, principal secretary in the department of sports and youth affairs, said, “The sports policy of 2009 and 2015 had provision for cash awards at senior-level tournaments which are recognized by international or national sports federations (NSFs) affiliated to International Olympic Committee and Indian Olympic Association or organized by the Union or the state government. Incidentally, junior, youth and sub-junior levels, other than those mentioned above, were not covered in the sports policy of either 2009 or 2015.”

“The Union ministry of sports allows 1/3rd cash award to junior and 1/6th to sub-junior categories. The matter of cash awards to junior, youth and sub-junior categories is pending with chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar for consideration. Until then, the director has been directed to clear all cash awards as per the sports policy, 2015,” said Khemka.

The circular further states that the director sports must ensure that pending cases of cash awards are put to the government within 15 days and a statement of pending cases is submitted at the end of each month. If there are any awards given to athletes who fall in junior/sub junior or youth category, it must be reported to the government along with original files.

“A financial wrong committed earlier for any reason cannot be allowed to perpetuate,” Khemka added.

Jagdeep Sheoran, director, sports, stated that he was still seeking clarification of the order passed.