Sports minister promises cash award, job for State players

 After a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Pakistan in the final of the T20 World Cup for the Blind at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, the Indian team was felicitated by the Karnataka government on Monday.

Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Pramod Madhwaraj, while gushing about the achievement, promised government jobs for the two players from the State -- Prakash Jayaramaiah and Sunil R -- in addition to a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh each for their impressive effort in the tournament.

“We are extremely happy with the performance of the team and even happier that two of our (Karnataka) boys have had a crucial role to play in the success.”

“The government will reward Prakash and Sunil with Rs 7 lakh and, on the recommendations of the Chief Minister, the players will be given government jobs,” he added.

 Mahantesh GK, President, World Blind Cricket Council and President of the Cricket Association for the Blind India, while extending his gratitude for the support received from the government, also had a couple of requests to make.

“We ensured that the tournament was held in a grand manner and the costs were huge. If the government can allocate Rs 1 crore to help us, it would go a long way in easing our burden.”

“Also, there is no proper facility for blind cricketers to practice so I would request the ministry to allocate 15 acres of land in Bengaluru so that, by 2020, we can set-up a world class facility for the disabled.”