‘State planning to augment sports students’ incentives’

Inaugurating the 62nd Republic Day state-level sport meet in Tiruchy, the Minister said, Ministers Vellamndi N Natarajan and S Valarmathi has urged for a hike in the incentive of Rs 100 for the sports persons.

“Already our late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who has inaugurated a sports university and the present Chief Minister Palaniswami had increased the employment reservation from two per cent to three per cent and the demand for increasing the incentive would be taken to the knowledge of the Chief Minister,” he said.

Similarly, a demand has been put forth to provide full day practice for once in a week and this would also be recommended to the Chief Minister.

Stating that the state government has more concerns over sports persons, the Minister pointed out that the late CM Jayalalithaa had announced Rs 2 crore for those who win gold in Olympic games and Rs One crore and Rs 50 lakh for silver and bronze respectively and this has been continued by Chief Minister Palaniswami too, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, steps are initiated to provide employment to sports persons with the support of the private sector partnership.

As many as 4,335 athletes, including 2,099 girls, from across the state and various sports hostels would participate in the three-day state level meet.