The winner takes it all? No. There is something for those finishing fourth as well, with the government changing its reward policy in favour of employees finishing fourth in team sports, bringing them at par with medal winners.
The government has decided to give employees a pay hike if they make semi-finals in national and international championships, irrespective of whether they get a podium finish or not.
The department of personnel and training came up with the proposal on Monday to fix the anomaly ahead of the Rio Olympics that begin August 5.
A fourth place in non-athletic events, too, will now on count as the Centre has relaxed a 2010 rule that credited a government employee for excelling in sporting events only if they picked up a medal.
There were no problems in implementing the policy in track and field events, essentially single-event games.
But the policy led to some heartburn among employees who participated in sports such as hockey where they take the field several times to reach semi-finals.
In non-athletic events where teams get eliminated on losing a match, employees would be said to have achieved excellence if they reach the semi-finals, the department said. It would not matter if they go on to lose the semi-final game.
{{/usCountry}}In non-athletic events where teams get eliminated on losing a match, employees would be said to have achieved excellence if they reach the semi-finals, the department said. It would not matter if they go on to lose the semi-final game.
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