PORVORIM: A total of Rs 109 crore in terms of prize money for athletes, grants to sports associations and vendors payments pertaining to National Games organized in Goa are pending for over a year, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao stated while speaking on a Calling Attention Motion tabled by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai. The prize money was decided in 2010 and hence considering inflation it should be enhanced. He also questioned why athletes should wait, when Sports Minister Govind Gaude said he would pay the prize money by Ganesh Chaturthi.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the prize money of Athletes who won at the National Games held in Goa should be given Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for winning gold, silver and bronze medals. He also said athletes did not get certificates. Sports Minister Govind Gaude said 80% of the prize money had been paid and the rest was pending due to discrepancies in bank details. He also said prize winners can collect the cheques which are with Sports Authority of Goa.