Olympic heroes honoured by Punjab government

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

JALANDHAR

Star sportspersons, who brought laurels to the nation, were honoured by the Punjab government at a function organised at Burlton Park Hockey stadium where sports equipments were also distributed to as many as 14,000 athletes. Pugilist Vijender Singh, who won bronze at the Beijing Olympics was given Rs 11 lakh, bronze medal winning wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxing quarter-finalist Jitender Kumar were handed over Rs five lakh each by Sukhbir Badal, President of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal( SAD). Chief national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was also given cash award of Rs 11 lakh. Sukhbir promised that the state would give handsome cash awards along with government jobs to medal winners in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. He further said that two new astro-turfs would also be laid at the Ja landhar and Talwandi Sabo and seven six-a-side astroturfs would be put in place to promote hockey in the state. Later on while talking to re porters, Sukhbir revealed that very soon a comprehensive Sports Policy would be announced for development of all sports in the state. Follow ing the launch of the hockey league, a kabaddi World Cup would be held where overseas teams would be seen in action. Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Padma Shree Pargat Singh, Director Sports Department, Punjab, were also present on the occasion.