Karnataka to honour sportspersons with cash awards

The state has decided to present cash awards to 81 sports persons, including 46 who won medals at International events during 2009, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Gulihatti Shekar told reporters here.

International swimmer A Aron D' Souza, J P Arjun, A P Gagan, T Sneha, Rehan Pooncha, C Shubha, R H Rohit, Pooja R Alva are among those chosen for the awards.

Athlete Kashinath, Shobha of Mangalore in power lifting and Nayana Shreyan, also a power lifter who won golds in national championships will receive Rs one lakh.

The state has allocated Rs 50 lakh for extending cash awards of Rs one lakh for gold medallists, Rs 50,000 for silver medallists and Rs 25,000 for bronze medal winners in national and international events.

The state is hosting a nine-day Karnataka Chief Minister's Invitation Hockey Cup championship from June 12-20 here in which a cash prize of Rs 13 lakh, including Rs six lakh for the winner would be offered,Shekar said.

Eight leading hockey teams from the country will vie for the championship title, he said.