MAAA institutes cash awards for athletes

Pune, July 13: In a bid to encourage athletes, the Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA), has decided to institute cash awards for medal winners in the annual state athletic championships from the ensuing year.

MAAA president former Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Adille S Umariwala, general secretary former and long distance ace Pralhad Sawant took the initiative for this. They also asked for the opinion of the district units. The move recieved further boost after Asian Athletic Association (AAA) president and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi agreed for the same.

'' The idea will certainly act as tonic for the athletes to go for glory in the national and international events.'' The AAA chief said.

Mr Sawant announced formation of a sub-committee headed by Mr Sumariwala and comprising R J Bhute (Wardha), R B Patil (Kolhapur), Narayan Khadke (Jalgaon) and Pralhad Bhang (Thane ), to finalise the quantum of cash awards in the senior, junior, and sub-juniors age groups.

The senior state athletic championship at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City Balewadi near here on September 2 and 3 will herald the beginning of presentation of these cash awards, Mr Sawant added.

In addition, the MAAA has also decided to present cash awards to medal winner athletes in the national and international events as well. ''We would like not only to motivate the athletes but at the same time, encourage them to enhance their performances in the wake of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games at Pune, to be followed by the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi ''Mr Sawant explained.

The MAAA has also decided to launch a talent search scheme.

Under the scheme, the coaches and technical officials will attend various state championships and and work in unison with the respective district officials to pick up the talent. Some top coaches, recipient of the Dadoji Kondev Award Pandurang Mhaskar (Kolhapur), Bhau Kane (Nagpur), Suresh Gujarathi (Pune), Arjuna Awardee Richata Mistry (Mumbai City), Collin Santos and Sushil Inamdar (Thane) alongwith others have been roped in to train the prospective medal winners at the year-round coaching camps to be held at various centers in the state, added Sawant.

An travelling insurance scheme would be introduced for the athletes travelling to participate in various national and international meets. The outstanding medal winners would also be accorded a grand felicitation, informed Sawant.

To develop technical expertise, the MAAA would conduct a technical examination for technical officials at taluka, district and divisional places on August 13, 2006. The annual state technical examination for officials would be held at Gondhiya on October 28&29 during the Diwali vacations, added Sawant.

UNI