At last, Asian Games medal winners receive promised cash awards

Thiruvananthapuram: Finally, the winners of medals at the Asian Hanzghou Games have received the cash awards that they were promised by the government. The prize money, announced by Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on October 19, was finally disbursed on Wednesday evening, albeit with a delay of two months. The minister had initially assured that the funds would be deposited into the winners’ bank accounts within one week. However, Malayala Manorama had reported last week on the failure to fulfill this commitment to the sportspersons.

The prize money was awarded to 10 Malayali sportspersons, with the government specifying amounts of Rs 25 lakh for gold medalists, Rs 19 lakh for silver medallists, and Rs 12.5 lakh for bronze medal winners. During the event organised by the government to honour the winners, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had presented them with only mementoes. It was during this occasion that the Sports Minister made the promise that the prize money would reach the bank accounts of the medal winners within one week.

Earlier, a big controversy had arisen when some Asian Games medalists declared their intention to leave Kerala, citing the lack of government support. However, the government has yet to take any measures to address the concerns raised by these sportspersons.