The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is reportedly set to announce up to 300% hike in the prize purse for the National Sports Awards.
Prize money in all categories will be hiked substantially Hindi daily Amar Ujala has reported.
The Prize Ratna for the most prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna may reportedly be enhanced from ₹ 7.5 lakh to ₹ 25 lakh, which Arjuna Award can now be accompanied with a cheque of ₹ 15 lakh, a 300% hike on the last year’s cash reward of ₹ 5 lakh.
A formal announcement may be made by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Kiren Rijiju ahead of the National Sports Day, August 29.
“The prize money of the National Sports Awards is set to be increased significantly. A proposal in this regard has already been made. The minister actively pushed for it after athletes complained that the prize money of sports awards is too less,” PTI has quoted a Sports Ministry source as saying.
“The proposal is still under consideration and if accepted by the government, the new cash rewards will be given from this year itself.”
However, Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal has denied any knowledge about the development.
“I am not aware. I don’t know anything,” Mittal said when reached for comment.