India, July 8 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state government is committed to building a strong sports culture by ensuring that talent gets opportunities and athletes receive recognition for their achievements. Addressing a cash award distribution ceremony in Panchkula, Saini distributed Rs 20.59 crore to 198 sportspersons for their achievements at international and national competitions. According to an official statement, Rs 13.75 crore was awarded to 117 athletes for international performances, Rs 2.32 crore to three medallists at the 2022 Para Asian Games and Rs 4.52 crore to 78 national-level sportspersons. Also Read - Delhi HC seeks Centre's stand on Ambassador Hotel's plea against show-cause notice for eviction Congratulating the awardees, the CM said every medal reflects years of hard work, discipline and determination. He noted that Haryana, with nearly two per cent of India's population, contributes more than one-third of the country's medals at major international sporting events. Over the past 12 years, the state has distributed nearly Rs 730 crore as cash incentives to 17,182 athletes, including the latest awards. Highlighting government initiatives, Saini said 260 sportspersons have secured government jobs under the Outstanding Sportspersons Recruitment Rules, while the sports gradation policy has been expanded to include participants in the Haryana State Games. Monthly honorariums for recipients of the Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Tenzing Norgay awards have been increased to Rs 20,000, while Bhim Award winners now receive Rs 5,000 per month. The CM said Haryana has established 2,000 sports nurseries, provides monthly scholarships of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for athletes aged 8-19 years and offers a daily diet allowance of Rs 500 to trainees at 25 residential sports academies. He added that the state has invested Rs 1,100 crore in sports infrastructure over the past 12 years, with the sports budget rising from Rs 163 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 668.42 crore. He also highlighted North's first A-star scientific training and rehabilitation centre at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.