Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 11: The medallists of first Khelo India winter games that concluded today at the Ski-resort Gulmarg accused Government of denying them cash prizes.
The players alleged authorities for adopting double standards with the athletes by denying them cash prizes. They said while Governments of other States offer cash prizes in the Khelo India events to encourage players, the administration of Jammu and Kashmir is doing opposite.
“We were told that we will get cash rewards for first three positions. But we received only medals today. When Government of other States can give cash rewards why are we being denied. Are we lesser players,” Muskan Singh, a silver medal winner in Alpine skiing told Excelsior.
She added that Government should ask itself whether the event was held to promote sports or downgrade the sportspersons.
Another medallist asked why Government conducted such an event if it lacked funds, “cash prizes are given all over India. I do not know what the issue with our administration is? If funding is the issue they should not have conducted such an event,” he said, adding that a huge amount was spent on the advertisements and cultural events but when it comes to encouraging athletes authorities have no funds.
The medalists said the authorities treated them unfairly when they tried to raise the issue with them, “they said you are not worth than a piece of medal. Take it and go home,” a medallist said.
Around 800-900 sportspersons participated in the event at the Ski-resort in Gulmarg in North Kashmir’s Barmulla district. The athletes participated in the 30 events including snowboarding, skiing, cross-country games and a snow show located at the venue located at an altitude of 8,694 feet. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched the event last week.
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