Jharkhand government today rewarded the Yuwa India under-14 girls football team for securing third position in the Gasteiz Cup in Spain.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren handed over cash prize and sporting kits to the 18 tribal girls, besides allocating land for a stadium.
"To encourage the excellent performance by the little girls in Spain, the government has decided to give a cash prize of Rs 21,000 to each of the participating player, sporting kit to the team and a five acre ground to enable them carry their football skills further," Soren said.
"The ground has been identified at Bahumaja in Ormanjhi (on the outskirts of Ranchi), and within six months it will be developed into stadium for the children.
"Later, it will be expanded into residential sports complex to enable children to get training staying there," he said.
13-year-old Rinki Kumari yesterday recalled how a panchayat sevak had allegedly slapped her and another teammate and made them sweep his office room when they went to request for birth certificates to get the passport done ahead of their visit to Spain.
"Action has already been taken. The government will ensure preventing such incidents in future," Soren replied when asked on the erring panchayat sevak, whom the girls had accused of humiliation.
The panchayat sevak was removed from his post by the district administration.
