Olympic athletes set for a bonanza

A cash bonanza awaits members of the Olympic Games-bound Indian contingent. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday announced it would share sponsorship money with the players bound for the mega event.

A cash bonanza awaits members of the Olympic Games-bound Indian contingent. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday announced it would share sponsorship money with the players bound for the mega event.

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IOA acting president, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, said each member would get Rs 2 lakh. "We have signed a sponsorship deal with Amul. The money will not be spent for administrative purpose but will go to the players," he said after signing an agreement with the country's largest food brand.

Under the agreement, signed by IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh and the company's managing director RS Sodhi, Amul will give R1 crore to the IOA. So far, around 45 athletes have achieved Olympic qualification mark and Malhotra is expecting more qualifications. "At least 30 more players should be able to win a passage to London," he said. Athletics (8), archery (4), boxing (4), shooting (11) and swimming (2) are the disciplines in which Indian players have achieved London berth.