June 15, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 14: Pakistan sports players who clinched medals in the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2006 will get cash prizes after a lapse of around two years.

Pakistan contingent comprised 282 players and 94 officials and took part in 19 disciplines.

They secured second position among eight countries — India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka — by winning 41 gold, 43 silver and 72 bronze medals.

Medal winners told Dawn on Saturday they were pleased to hear the announcement of getting the cash prizes.

They said they had approached Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) last director-general Lt Col Salahuddin and many other officials for the purpose but in vain.

Coaches of various disciplines also showed their happiness, saying the step would help in boosting the moral of the players and the trainers.

Meanwhile, a PSB statement said the payment of cash awards to the players and coaches amount to Rs20.24 million.

Gold medal, silver medal and bronze-medal winners of individual categories — athletics, boxing, cycling, judo, karate, shooting, squash, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, badminton, swimming, table tennis, rowing — will get Rs200,000, Rs100,000 and Rs50,000 respectively.

Each member of the team games like hockey, football, kabbadi and volleyball will get Rs50,000, Rs30,000 and Rs15,000 for winning gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

Thirty-five coaches of 19 disciplines will get cash awards of Rs100,000, Rs50,000 and Rs25,000 respectively.

The award ceremony will be held at the Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on June 25.