Vijay Goel in controversy again as Blind Cricketers refuse prize money
Sports Minister Vijay Goel's promise of a 30 lakh prize to each member of India's victorious Blind T20 cricket team has been turned down by the Blind Cricket body's President. The CABI president has refused the offer claiming that the actual reward is only 10 lakhs, that too for the entire team.
Goel, who is an active user of Twitter, used his official account to tweet about the recent success of the para-athletes at the Rio Games and the successful campaign of the world cup. The Hindi tweet translates into, "After winning four medals at the Rio Paralympics, we have now won the World Cup Cricket for the Blind. Hats off to our efficiency and persistence of
रियो पैरालिम्पिक में 4 पदक जीते और अब ब्लाइंड T20 विश्व कप ख़िताब भी अपने नाम किया; हमारे दिव्यांग खिलाड़ियों के कुशलता और दृढ़ता को सलाम! pic.twitter.com/0PqmnWs0Kc
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) February 20, 2017
The amount that is to be awarded to the team is expected to be in the range of Rs 30 lakh, which will be handed to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI).
However, in an interview with ANI, CABI president, GK Mahantesh has claimed that the amount is just one-third of what has been quoted in the news.
"Our boys are little disappointed. Last time, when our boys won the World Cup, they got Rs. 5 lakh each. So, this time they were expecting more. Hopefully, bigger cash prizes will be announced," Mahantesh said, reported ZeeNews.
If the team are given a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs, they won't accept it
"I don't know if it is for the team or individuals. If it is for the team (cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs), they won't accept it. They don't want the cash prize."
In a report published by News18, Goel was quoted saying that there was no confusion about the prize money and that the Ministry would follow the "same practice" that was used in 2012 when the Indian team won their first T20 World Cup crown.
Also Read : Blind Cricket is looking for support. BCCI, please?
Mahantesh was also critical of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not giving them official recognition despite retaining the World Cup. Goel, on the other hand, suggested that the government is considering the option of granting CABI authority as a sports federation.
In 2002, when Pakistan won the World Cup, immediately they were recognized
"The sad part is we are still struggling for resources. The government is yet to give us official recognition. In 2002, when Pakistan won the World Cup, immediately they were recognized. That is the kind of speed at which other countries are working. I don't know why our government is sleeping on it," an irate Mahantesh complained.
"They should quickly react. It would be great if the government and BCCI recognize, embrace and endorse this (CABI). It's a shame because if they don't do so. Our boys have won four championships in the last four years. It is high time they respond and positively
While it is evident that the para-athletes have made a big contribution to the country over the last year or so, it should be considered an embarrassment the way they are treated.
A rare silver lining in the way para-athletes have been treated in India happened last year - the Tamil Nadu government had rewarded Rs 2 crores to Mariyappan Thangavelu, while the Haryana Government had rewarded Deepa Malik with 4 crores for their performances at the Rio Paralympic Games last year. It, however, appears we are back to square one sooner than later.