Athletes rue neglect by government Faris Arakkal

Arya during a practice session Authorities are yet to reward gold medal winners from the state ARYA C and Chinju Jose, national gold winning athletes of the state, are working out at Corporation Stadium now. They are perhaps keeping themselves fit for another medal. Utopian promises from the state government have not kept them off the track. Arya and Chinju were the gold medal winners in the 4X400m relay with a meet record at the Common Wealth Youth Games 2008 held in Pune, but the state sports authorities are yet to recognise them with any reward. "Promises were many, but we haven't yet got any call," says Arya. There are many more names in the list of government's neglect. PC Thulasi for badminton and Jithin Paul for 4X400 relay at the Common Wealth Youth Games 2008 are a few examples of the government apathy towards athletes. They had sent a letter to then Sports Minister M Vijayakumar, but in vain. The new sports ministry office under KB Ganesh Kumar has nothing to say other than "lack of funds''. While athletes from other states were rewarded handsomely, athletes from Kerala received nothing other than a bunch of promises. "Athletes from Maharashtra get a minimum of Rs 10,000 for being selected to the camp alone," adds Arya who was selected for international meets like IAAF World Youth Athletics Championships and SAF games. "The irresponsibility of authorities can affect the status of the players and the events," says athletic coach of Sports Authority of India Thrissur Walter John. He has been guiding the athletes for more than four years. MA Prajusha, who won the gold in triple jump at the CWG 2010, was showered with rewards, but junior athletes who compete for the nation still find it hard to get acknowledged by the state. When asked if there was any hope, Arya and Chinju smiled and moved to the sprinting tracks.