PESHAWAR - Despite the lapse of more than a year, squash players who won the gold medal in Asian Games 2010, have yet to get half of Rs20 million announced by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for them.
It was remarkable as Pakistan won gold medal in squash in Asian Games 2010, after a decade. It was a time when Pakistan was under severe terrorists' pressure, winning a gold medal for the country in such difficult times was encouraging. In the Asian Games 2010, Pakistan's squash squad comprised of Amir Atlas, Danish Atlas, Farhan Mehboob and Yasir Butt did well and grabbed not only gold medal but also silver medal for the country.
After winning the gold medal, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met with squash players in January 2011 and announced Rs20million-Rs5million for each player for their shining performance in the event. Thus, half of the total amount, Rs10million was given to the players in February 2011.
It was told the players that the remaining Rs10million would be awarded disbursed in March 2011. However, since then, till date not a single penny has been paid to the players. Sources said that Prime Minister has issued clear directives to the ministry concerned to release the remaining amount but to no avail.
The sources said that despite lapse of more than a year, the government has yet to release the total amount and accused Pakistan Sports Board of using delaying tactics. They said that most recently, Federal Government had released Rs700 million to Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), but, for no reason, the PSB has so far failed to award remaining prize money to the squash players.
Officials of the PSB, they said, were promising different dates for releasing the remaining amount. They asked government to take note and release the amount forthwith.