In a major embarrassment, the Manohar lal Khattar Government in Haryana had to cancel the April 26 felicitation function for the states Commonwealth Games medal winners following threats of boycott from the top athletes over the proposed cut in their prize money.
The decision to cancel the event scheduled to be held at Indradhanush Auditorium in Panchkula was taken after a meeting between Chief Minister Manohar lal and Sports Minister Anil Vij where discussion was held over the resentment among the CWG medal winners over the government’s move of deducting the prize money that they get from their employer, in case any.
Even as preparations were almost completed for the award function, it was decided to call off the function to save the State Government from the embarrassment in case the CWG medal winners do not turn up for their felicitation ceremony.
Notably, top athletes such as gold medalists wrestler Vinesh Phogat (women’s free style), javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, wrestler Bajrang Punia, bronze medallist Manoj Kumar among others had hinted at boycotting the event over the proposed cut in the prize money.
Haryana Government had planned to felicitate all the 22 CWG medal winners at a state-level function in Panchkula. Haryana Governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki was to honour the medal winners in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar and Sports Minister Anil Vij.
According to Haryana’s sports policy, a CWG gold medallist from the state is to get Rs 1.5 crore, a silver medallist Rs 75 lakh and a bronze medallist Rs 50 lakh. But the State Government recently stated that in case of athletes who represent institutions such as the Army or Railways and are given cash prizes by them, the Haryana Government would deduct the amount given by the institution from their stated cash award.
The move was to affect a total of 13 of the 22 sportspersons from Haryana representing central government organizations such as Indian Railways and Indian Army.
Haryana Sports Minister, Anil Vij while talking to the mediapersons on Wednesday said the felicitation ceremony had been cancelled because some players had opposed the state’s sports policy.
Keeping in view the protest of the players, the sports policy would be reviewed, said he.
Justifying government’s move, the Minister said that under the sports policy of the government, the admissible prize money to players is to be given after deducting the amount paid to them by the department or agency where they are working.
This decision was taken in the interest of players so that all players get equal respect and no room is left for any inferiority complex to set in. However, keeping in view the resistance of some players, the sports policy will be reconsidered, Vij added.
He further said, “Everyone is aware that Haryana gives highest award money. What we had said is that we will deduct the prize money that they get from their employer, in case of any, from the total reward money.”
Vij, however, added that sportspersons objection to the government’s move is not justified.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have hit out the BJP led Haryana Government over the cancellation of the felicitation ceremony, Haryana’s Aam Aadmi Party head, Naveen Jaihind accused the Haryana Government of humiliating the CWG medal winners by proposed cut in their cash award.
Instead of boosting the morale of sportspersons, the BJP is humiliating the top athletes by such actions. The government should work on strengthening the sports infrastructure and encouraging sportspersons instead of resorting to such antics of humiliating the top athletes, he added.
Haryana INlD chief Ashok Arora and state Congress party chief Ashok Tanwar have also criticised the State Government over the cancellation of the felicitation ceremony.