T20 stars will get their cash award, assures govt

The state government on Monday assured that three city cricketers, who helped the country win the T20 World Cup in 2007, would be given the remaining cash award at a ceremony that is to be held soon.

The state government on Monday assured that three city cricketers, who helped the country win the T20 World Cup in 2007, would be given the remaining cash award at a ceremony that is to be held soon.

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The Hindustan Times had first reported on April 4 about Mumbai cricketers Ajit Agarkar, Rohit Sharma and Lalchand Rajput (team coach) receiving half of the Rs10 lakh promised to them by the state government.

Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Devendra Fadnavis raised the question on Monday during a debate on the budgetary allocation for sports department. He said that though the government had announced Rs1 crore each to Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan for winning the World Cup, it did not pay Rajput, Agarkar and Sharma the entire cash award even four years after the announcement.

Sports minister Padmakar Valvi said the players would be felicitated and given the remaining cash award at the same function in which Tendulkar and Khan would be accorded grand reception.

Rajput welcomed the minister’s decision. “I am happy that the government has realised the goof up. Now, we can expect to get our due honour,” he said.