CWG medallists get millions

KARACHI: The medallists of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Thursday got cash awards at a reception at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad. The federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada was the chief guest on the occasion.
Also present were IPC secretary Ijaz Chaudhary, joint secretary Khalid Mehmood Mirza, Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) Director General Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera and Director National Federations Mohammad Azam Dar. A handsome purse of Rs2 million each was given to silver medallists Mohammad Waseem (boxer), Shah Hussain Shah (judoka) and Qamar Abbas (wrestler).
Experienced wrestler Azhar Hussain, who won bronze medal, got richer by Rs1 million.
The coaches of these medallists were given Rs200,000 each, the PSB said. Riaz Pirzada said that the players were sent to Glasgow despite tough situation at home due to the tussle between two groups of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).
The minister appreciated IPC secretary Ijaz Chaudhry for resolving the long-standing dispute. “It was due to judicious steps taken by Ijaz Chudhary that the matter was resolved with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which enabled the government to send the national contingent to Glasgow,” he recalled.
He credited the players who performed well despite lack of proper training. “I will give credit to the players who won three silver and one bronze medal despite poor preparation,” Pirzada said.
Ganjera said that the cash awards scheme would be expanded. “More international events are being included in the policy,” he said.
He said that the PSB was upgrading the sports facilities so that better environment could be provided to the athletes.