Sportspersons with physical disabilities, mostly athletes, who had represented the State in national and international events, staged a snap stir inside the auditorium during the presentation of the Eklavya awards on Tuesday.
Over 20 such sportspersons tried to go near the dais, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sat, to seek financial assistance under Sports Excellency for them like normal sportspersons.
However, the police stopped them from approaching the Chief Minister and urged them to maintain calm until the award function gets over.
They chose to sit on the steps leading to the dais to meet the Chief Minister and Sports Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain after the function.
“We are no less than normal sportspersons since we too have excelled in Paralympics. Therefore, the financial assistance what the government had started giving it to normal sportspersons should also be extended to us,” demanded Linge Gowda.
Some even brought their medals and displayed them.
When Mr. Siddaramaiah concluded his inaugural speech and went to take his seat, the sportspersons tried to draw his attention to their demand.
But the Chief Minister asked them to speak to the concerned Minister.
