Cash incentives come late, Biju Award not yet

The State Government`s annual cash incentives for outstanding sportspersons will be finally distributed in a special function at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar tomorrow. As many as 129 sportspersons, including 21 internationals will be felicitated with a total cash incentive of Rs 10,95,000 for the year 2007-08, officials of the State Directorate of Sports said today. Ace woman hurdler Anuradha Biswal will be the highest beneficiary with Rs 75,000. Other major beneficiaries include powerlifter Ranu Mohanty (Rs 50.000, rower Pravasini Deivedy (Rs 40,000), volleyball player Jhililata Sena (Rs 37,500) and hockey stars Dilip Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey, Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Rs 25,000 each). Ten others, including veteran powerlifter Purna Chandra Bidika (Rs 24,000), hockey international William Xalxo (Rs 22,500), Swayangshu Satyapragyan (chess): Binita Xess, Subhadra Pradhan, Binita Toppo (all hockey), Mamata Jena (rowing) and Anita Sahoo (sepak takraw) will get Rs 20,000 or more each. The lowest amount of incentive — Rs 3,000 will be given to as many as 40 sportspersons. The annual cash incentives along with the Biju Patnaik Sports Awards were skipped last year due to a controversy surrounding the selection of a candidate for the best sports journalist award. Instead of finding a solution to the controversy, the Government has chosen further delay the Biju Patnaik Awards and distribute the cash incentives. The Biju Patnaik Awards, known as the highest recognition in the field of sports, are given in four categories including Life-time achievement, Sportsperson of the year, Outstanding coach and sports journalist.