Top players fume at Haryana govt over 'prize money cut'

Chandigarh: Top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Yogeshwar Dutt on Wednesday slammed the Haryana government for "cut in prize money" due to them for winning international medals, an allegation denied by the state sports minister.

The Haryana government was already facing flak for scrapping an award function which was to be held on Monday at Panchkula to give away cash prizes worth Rs 90 crore to about 3,000 sportspersons who have won medals in national and international competitions.

Instead of rewarding the sportspersons in public, the state government decided to transfer the cash prize directly into their accounts. Some of the players, however, claimed that they got reduced amount in their accounts. State Sports Minister Anil Vij, however, said that there was no cut in prize money.

"Haryana youth gave medals to the country. Haryana may be a small state, but it has made entire country proud on numerous occasions. Their (players') morale should not be lowered by cut in prize money. My request to Haryana government is to reconsider this," Asian champion Punia tweeted.

Punia reminded the Haryana government that financial incentive was not the sole concern for a player, but they also expect the government to stand behind them. "When you promise rewards to players, at that time it is not the promise of financial incentives you make to them, but of standing solidly behind them. If you cannot stand on your promise, then in future what expectation a player can have from you," he wrote. Phogat, a gold winner in 2018 Asian Games, was more vocal, asking the Haryana government to take back their prize money.