07-22-2004, 04:27 AM
Olympians should have fun after Games: Dutt
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Whether they return with medals or empty-handed, moves are afoot to make life more comfortable for the 70-odd members of the Indian squad to the Athens Olympics. Sports Minister Sunil Dutt has moved a series of proposals to the ministries concerned for athletesâ benefits, including a hike in their daily foreign allowance from $20 to $50, introduction of a health insurance scheme and a package for railway travel.
While some of the proposals have been firmed up and await the Finance Ministryâs approval, the Minister said he would take up the issue of railway passes or concessions for members of the squad with Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav. Once all the proposed schemes had been sent to the Ministries, he would also be writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the subject.
Over the years, Dutt said, heâd learned of several cases where Indian Olympians lived in pathetic conditions, especially in their later years. His present efforts were one way of trying to avoid such horror stories in future. ââI have interacted with some members of the squad who come from small villagers and far-flung areas,ââ he said. ââThey must feel there will be some incentives and benefits they will get throughout their lives. Participating in the Olympic Games must not be their only period of glory.ââ
Besides simple health insurance and travel facilities, Dutt said the Sports Ministry was looking at ways in which cash rewards and purses Olympians win are not squandered either by them or their families. His officers were working on other schemes so that a final decision could be taken well before the start of the Olympic Games on August 13.
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Inshallah something will come out of it.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Whether they return with medals or empty-handed, moves are afoot to make life more comfortable for the 70-odd members of the Indian squad to the Athens Olympics. Sports Minister Sunil Dutt has moved a series of proposals to the ministries concerned for athletesâ benefits, including a hike in their daily foreign allowance from $20 to $50, introduction of a health insurance scheme and a package for railway travel.
While some of the proposals have been firmed up and await the Finance Ministryâs approval, the Minister said he would take up the issue of railway passes or concessions for members of the squad with Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav. Once all the proposed schemes had been sent to the Ministries, he would also be writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the subject.
Over the years, Dutt said, heâd learned of several cases where Indian Olympians lived in pathetic conditions, especially in their later years. His present efforts were one way of trying to avoid such horror stories in future. ââI have interacted with some members of the squad who come from small villagers and far-flung areas,ââ he said. ââThey must feel there will be some incentives and benefits they will get throughout their lives. Participating in the Olympic Games must not be their only period of glory.ââ
Besides simple health insurance and travel facilities, Dutt said the Sports Ministry was looking at ways in which cash rewards and purses Olympians win are not squandered either by them or their families. His officers were working on other schemes so that a final decision could be taken well before the start of the Olympic Games on August 13.
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Inshallah something will come out of it.