Punjab to introduce ranking of players of all games

Chandigarh: The Punjab Sports Department on Friday decided to introduce its own ranking system for players from the state, to identify and honour top-100 sportsperson in all games.

The procedure for awarding rankings will based on internationally accepted norms. Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the ranking would give an identity to the players and also motivate them to strive hard for further improvement. “Moreover, with this method we will be able to have a larger identified pool of promising players who could be nurtured for the national as well as international sports meets,” he said after a meeting with veteran players to get their feedback on the draft sports policy of the state. Badal also proposed that cash incentive for Olympic gold winner be raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.25 crores, Olympic silver medal winner from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crores and for Olympic bronze medalist the amount has been proposed to be double from present Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.Similar raise was suggested for Maharaja Ranjit Singh award from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. Expressing concern over neglect of coaches, Badal proposed that coaches of the medal winners should get 10 per cent of cash incentive. PTI