42 Sportspersons & Coaches Honoured with Special Cash Awards
	13:23 IST

Dr. M.S. Gill, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports gave away Special Cash Awards to 42 Sportspersons and Coaches for winning medals in the International Sports Events held during the year 2006. Among the awardees, 31 were from Boxing, 10 from chess and one from swimming. Shri Aaron D’Souza got the cash award of Rs. 13,50,000 for winning 3 Gold and 3 Bronze medals in 4th Asian Age Group Aquatic Championships at Bangkok 2005. Mr. Koneru Ashok, Chess Coach received a cheque of Rs. 5 lakh, Ms. Tania Sachdev and Mr. L.V. Siva Kumar got Rs. 3 lakh each and Mr. P.M. Mohanty got Cash Award of Rs. 2 lakh for winning Chess Championships. Among the Boxing Coaches who received Cash Award in today’s function were: Mr. Jagdish Singh, Mr. M.S. Dhaka, Mr. Anoop Kumar, Ms. Hemlata Bagdwal, Mr. R. Biakliana, Mr. Mahavir Singh, Mr. D. Chandralal, Mr. I.V. Rao and Mr. Ajit Singh. The total amount of Rs. 1,08,15,000 (Rupees One Crore Eight Lakh Fifteen Thousand) was distributed as special cash awards to sportspersons / coaches in the function. While addressing the Sportspersons and Coaches after distribution of Cash Awards, Dr. Gill said “I value Coaches and want to expand the national cadre of coaches.” He further stated that without worthwhile Coaches and coaching it is difficult to achieve the high standards in the sports because it has become very technical in nature. The Ministry will provide good working conditions to them and in return they should give their best, Dr. Gill added. RM/AS