SAI pays pocket allowances to 2,749 Khelo India athletes, says Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju

AFTER approving the resumption of sporting activities adhering to  MHA protocols, Sports Authority of India (SAI) has deposited 30,000 rupees each as out of pocket allowance in accounts of 2,749 Khelo India athletes. The amount added up to 8.25 crore rupees in all. SAI says in a statement,  A total of 2,893 athletes will be given the pocket allowance with the funds for the remaining 144 athletes to be transferred by the end of  May. The allowance is for the first quarter of 2020-21. Athletes from 35 states and union territories have been given the allowances in 21 sporting disciplines with the maximum number of them from Maharashtra (386), Haryana (381), Delhi (225), Punjab (202) and Tamil Nadu (165). Reacting to the disbursement of the Khelo India allowances, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju said athletes are our priority and we are committed to taking care of them. Khelo India Program, says its website, is a national scheme for the development of sports in India. It was launched in 2018 by the then Sports Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in Delhi. This program intends to take sports culture in the country to the next level. Media reports suggest Haryana, emerging as the sports power house , is interested in organizing next  Khelo India Youth Game. The 111th edition was held in Guwahati from January  10 to 22. The host should be in a position to ensure transport, logistics, food and accommodation for the players, coaches, technical and support staff during the Sports event. There should be medical and security arrangements for the successful organization of the games. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports provides expenditure in the ratio of 60:40 basis.

(Courtesy to  khelnow.com for the picture)