Chandigarh, Sep.14 (ANI): In what is being seen in certain circles as an act of political gamesmanship over sports, the Government of Punjab, which is run by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, has announced a cash award of Rs.25 lakh for members of the victorious Indian hockey team that recently won its maiden Asian Championship title, defeating Pakistan by four goals to two.
Criticising Hockey India and the Central Government for rewarding the players with just Rs.25,000 each, the Punjab Government, which is headed by Chief Minister Surjit Singh Badal, asked the Centre to apologise for the humilating treatment meted out to the victorious stars.
Earlier, Asian Champion India refused to accept Rs 25, 000 cash reward offered to them by Hockey India.
The winning national hockey team felt insulted on being offered the meagre cash reward by Sports Minister Ajay Maken during their felicitation ceremony.
Hockey team captain Rajpal Singh said that their feat of beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals of the prestigious event was not rewarded well, and added that his team was disappointed by Maken's hollow claims of reviving the national sport in the country.
Singh further said any cash reward should be motivational for the players, both now and in the future.
He urged other sports federation to take a leaf out of the BCCI's working and awarding of players to motivate them for better results.
India defeated Pakistan 4-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy finals on Sunday in Ordos, China. (ANI)
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