Kerala Government will increase the amount for cash awards — Rs. 4 lakh, Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh — to the sportspersons from the State who win gold, silver and bronze medals in the National Games to be held in Jharkhand from February 12 to 26.
The decision to increase the amount for cash awards, which is almost double to what Kerala offered to the medal winners of the 33{+r}{+d} National Games in Guwahati, was taken by the steering committee set up by the Government to oversee the preparation and participation of the State contingent in the Jharkhand Games.
Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar, who chaired the meeting, said the Government, the Kerala State Sports Council and the Kerala Olympic Association were working hand-in-hand to ensure the best of facilities for the athletes of the various disciplines at the coaching camps and for their journey to Jharkhand and back. The contingent will leave in two batches on February 7 and 8 on the direct train to Ranchi from Alappuzha.
A total sum of Rs. 85 lakh was expected to be spent on the participation of the Kerala contingent in the Games. As host of the 35{+t}{+h} National Games, Kerala will present two artistic presentations at the closing ceremony on February 26. The items to be presented will be decided shortly.
