Aiyar promises timely payment of reward cheques to sportspersons

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) A mechanism will be put in place to ensure that the sportspersons get their reward cheques in time, Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said while announcing that the Sports policy is in its final stage.

Talking to reporters here today, Mr Aiyar said that the earlier system of handing over the cheques to the sportsperson on August 29, which is Major Dhayan Chand's Birth Day, will be revived to ensure they are not unnecessarily hassled for collecting the award money.

Mr Aiyar was speaking after handing over a cheque of Rs.1.75 lakh to ace archer Ms Chekrovolu Swuro, as an award for her performance in the Asian Archery Championships and the Golden Arrow European Grand Prix.

The award was conferred on Ms. Swuro in June 2006.

Dismayed at the delay in payment of the award money to the Swuro, he said it was a matter of concern that it took over a year for Ms Swuro to get a valid cheque from the Ministry of Sports.

He promised that in future, the Minsitry will ensure that the money is given to the sportspersons at the earliest.

''The Sports Policy is almost ready and it will be completed within a week's time after which it will be hosted in the official website of the Ministry,'' Mr Aiyar said.

A 50-odd page draft of the Centre's Sports policy will be hosted within a week to seek a public opinion, Mr Aiyar said.

The draft has three outlines -- 'Sports for all', 'Excellence in Sports' and 'Constitutional, legal and institutional measures', he informed.

UNI