There is going to be a "big jump" in the cash awards given to Punjab's sports persons who excel at Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other sporting events, Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said Tuesday.
The state's new sports policy is likely to be discussed in the next cabinet meeting scheduled on September 27, he said.
"There is going to be a big jump in the cash awards in our new sports policy," Sodhi said.
On being asked about the quantum of hike, the minister said, "It will not be a small amount".
The Congress leader said the state's sports policy would be "much better" than that of Haryana.
The matter assumes significance as there is a huge difference between the cash awards offered by the Punjab and Haryana governments to their respective medal winners.
Punjab offers Rs 2.25 crore for Olympic gold medal winners, Rs 1.10 crore for silver medal winners and
Noting that the focus will be on nurturing young talent by training kids as young as 8 years, the Punjab minister said