IOA to give all sponsors’ money to the sportsperson qualified for Olympics

NEW DELHI 27 FEBRUARY, 2012: In a far reaching move, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today announced that all the money received from the Sponsors for the London Games will be distributed amongst the sportspersons who qualify for the Olympics.

”The sponsors money will not be used for the IOA’s office or on its officials but will be shared by the sportspersons who will represent the country in the Games” IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said here.

Prof Malhotra was speaking at a function in which Amul signed an agreement with the IOA to be one of the sponsor of the Indian Contingent for the London Olympics.

He said electronic giants Samsung has also signed Rs ten million sponsorship with the IOA. Out of which fifty percent of the money has been given to the Samsung Ratnas (athletes selected by the Samsung itself) “ With Amul’s sponsorship also of Rs ten million, We now have Rs 15 Million as sponsors money in our kitty and We are expecting more sponsors to come forward to help the contingent.The money belongs to sports persons and We in the IOA decided that the entire amount of sponsorship be distributed amongst the players headed for London’.

Prof Malhotra said that so for 45 sportspersons(11 shooters, four each in Archery and boxing, eight athletics, two swimmers and 16-member men’s hockey team) have qualified for the Olympics.”We expect ten to 15 more sports persons from Wrestling, Boxing, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, Judo, Weightlifting, Rowing are expected to make the cut.

“In this scenario all the London bound sportspersons are already assured of Rs two lakh each from the sponsor’s money” he added.

The IOA acting chief also disclosed that London organising committee for Olympic Games (LOCOG) has offered to provided 30,000 Pounds financial help to IOA to send teams to United Kingdom in preparations of the Games. The IOA will have to bear the expenses beyond the stipulated offer” We have called a meeting with SAI officials here on March 1 to discuss this offer “.

He also said that IOA will discuss the preparations for the Games with the Associations and Federations whose athletes have made the cut.”We will provide the sportspersons all assistance so that there is no shortcoming from the IOA or federation’s side. We also hope that players will give their best to make the country proud in the Olympics”.

Prof Malhotra said the IOA will also provide the best possible kitting to the sportspersons for the Games ”Now it is up to them to bring glory to the country”.

He hailed Indian hockey team’s magnificent victory last night” Yesterday was a mixed day for the country, it was worst in the morning as our Cricket team was humbled in Sydney but in the evening Hockey not only provided solace with the win but also gave a cause for celebration by qualifying for the Olympics.

IOA secretary general Randhir Singh who signed the agreement with Managing director of Amul R.S.Sodhi said “better times are ahead for the Indian sports persons. They are now assured of all financial and technical support from our side”.

“Our times, we used to get just five dollars as pocket money while representing the country in the Olympics, but now the things have changed dramatically and for better”.

Sodhi in his speech said Amul which is known as “Taste of India” is now going for “Talent of India” and expressed his happiness that IOA will spend all the money on the sportspersons. “We are very pleased with IOA’s decision. We wish London Games may turn out to be best ever Olympics for Indian sportspersons”.