PSB to release prize money for SAG medal winners by June

KARACHI: A senior official of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Saturday said that the medallists of the 13th South Asian Games would be handed over cash prizes as per the established policy by June.

“Every effort is being made to do this. The coronavirus issue unsettled everything,” the official told ‘The News’. “We have money and InshaAllah in the current financial year the cash awards would be given to all the medal winners,” he said.

The official was quick to add that around Rs112 million would be given to the medallists. He said that the mode of releasing the money would be decided later.

“We will see whether a ceremony is possible. If it is not possible then the money will be put into the accounts of the players,” the official said.

Pakistan claimed 32 gold, 41 silver and 60 bronze medals in the Nepal SAG.

On Saturday, Pakistan’s highly talented weightlifter and top seed Talha Talib called this correspondent and said that the PSB should release the cash awards. “I would like to request the PSB that it should give prize money to the SAG medallists as it is a very tough time for all, particularly the players,” he said.

Talha, who had got bronze in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, won gold in the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal.

The other day, Pakistan’s premier wrestler Mohammad Inam had raised the issue and urged the government to release the cash awards as athletes were in dire need of the money during lockdown.