Khade seeks cash incentives for SAG medal winners

Dhaka: With hardly any cash incentive for medal winners in South Asian Games, India`s top swimmer

Veerdhawal Khade feels that the athletes lack motivation to take part in the biggest sporting extravaganza of the region. "We need cash incentive for medal winners as it could inspire more sportpersons to compete. It will definitely help motivate sportpersons," Khade told PTI. "The players spend a lot on travelling and training. Some cash incentive would definitely help. Moreover, it would not only act as a recognition, but also increases the motivation level," said Khade, who in 2008 became the youngest ever Indian swimmer to make the Olympics. It was only on the insistence of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that a full strength swimming contingent studded with Olympian trio of Khade, Sandeep Sejwal and Rehan Poncha decided to take part in the event at the last moment. "Everybody was in a training phase preparing for the Commonwealth Games (in October 2010). We were not prepared to come here and did not know about our participation. At the last moment, we were told to come here." PTI