Karnataka, which has produced world renowned sportspersons, had no money to honour outstanding sports personalities in the last three years!
This was the confession made by none other than Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Alkod Hanumanthappa in the legislative assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a query by S Balraj (Independent), the minister said the government had been unable to present the Ekalavya award during the last three years due to paucity of funds.
“Now that funds are available, by September-end the awards for the last three years will be presented,” he said.
BJP member Araga Jnanendra, taking part in the discussion, said: “In my constituency a youth has been selected for the Ekalavya award. In the last six months, he must have made at least 100 phone calls to me to find out when he would be getting the award.”
Dr K Annadani (JDS) said youngsters were not getting sufficient encouragement in sports in the state. Barring cricket, other games were being neglected, he added.
Balaraj alleged that the Karnataka Rajya Amateur Kabbadi Association, which was established during R Gundu Rao’s reign as the chief minister, was suffering due to poor administration.
“At taluk level, there is no encouragement for sports at all,” he lamented.
In his reply, Hanumanthappa said an enquiry would be ordered to find out if there was any maladministration in the association.