Sports ministry paid Rs.2.2 million to Shiva Keshavan
By IANSTuesday, February 16, 2010
NEW DELHI - The sports ministry Tuesday hit back at claims made by Olympian Shiva Keshavan, and revealed that the sportsperson was paid Rs.2.2 million for his training for the Winter Olympics.
In the ongoing Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Keshavan said he didn’t have proper uniforms due to lack of fund. The Indian community in Canada raised $8000 to help the luge athlete, who finished a disappointing 29th.
Refuting all his claims, the sports ministry said that each of the eight members (three athletes and five officials) of the Indian contingent were given ceremonial dress and heavy clothing worth Rs.20,000.
The minstry also said that all the three athletes were provided full assistance for their training. Keshavan was the biggest beneficiary at Rs.2.2 million while alpine skier Jamyang Namgial and cross-country skier Tashi Lundup got Rs.1.5 million each.
The ministry said it had also paid Rs.22,000 each for the airfare.
“The organisers paid Canadian $1046 (approximately Rs.45,000) each for the airfare. The ministry paid the extra Rs.22,000 for the tickets which were Rs.67,000,” the sports ministry said in a statement.
Besides these, all the team members were paid US $50 as daily allowances.
