Maharashtra to give Rs 10m for gold

Maharashtra on Friday became the first state to announce a Rs 10 million award for an individual or team winning a gold medal at the coming Sydney Olympics.

Minister of State for Sports Anil Deshmukh told newsmen in Bombay that a silver and bronze medallist will get Rs five million and 2.5 million respectively.

''This is meant to encourage young players to actively take up sports,'' he said, adding that a programme is on in the state where prominent players are coaching youngsters in select games like wrestling and athletics.

The minister said the state government's allocation for sports this year is Rs 404.6 million, and permission has been granted to construct sports complexes in Nagpur, Amravati and Aurangabad, he said.