MP: Rules and policies block prize money promised to coaches

Despite MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's announcement of awarding prize money to coaches of the winners at the 34th National Games held in Ranchi, sports department has decided otherwise.

"Sports department didn't follow chief minister's announcement. Coaches have been waiting for the prize money for the past two years but government didn't fulfil its promise in any function. I have again sent a proposal to state government to fulfil chief minister's promise," said wushu coach Manoj Gupta.

The department has cited rules and policies to establish the decision.

According to state sports policy, coaches shall be awarded with prize money only if they impart training in the camps organised by the state government before National Games. But before, the Jharkhand National Games, no camp was organised and hence, the question of coaches training in those camps didn't arise.

However, in a function held in July 2012, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had relaxed the rules and announced that prize money will be awarded to the coaches.

Requesting anonymity, a coach said, "The step motherly behaviour of sports department will affect the result of the upcoming National Games as coaches are disheartened."

Athletics coach SK Prasad said, "Sports department has awarded lakhs of rupees as prize money to players but decided not to award the coaches. Behind every successful player, there is a coach."

Principal secretary, sports M Mohan Rao said he was not aware of the matter.