Archer Jyothi Surekha is furious with the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradhesh for allegedly reducing her cash award. She has threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike unless the government fulfills all promises made to her, according to The New Indian Express.
The international archer and Asian Games medallist was reportedly promised a cash reward of Rs 1 crore by the state government after she was honoured with the Arjuna award in 2017. She claims she was also offered certain other benefits, but is yet to get them.
The Arjuna awardee told reporters: "On August 31, 2017, I met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore, house site in Vijayawada and Group-I posting. Several government officials were present."
The 21-year-old archer threatened to launch a hunger strike as the promises made to her by the government were broken
Surekha also alleged that one-fourth of the promised sum was to go to her coach.
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"On May 4, I learned that around Rs 22 lakh was deducted from the total amount, due to a Government Order (GO) from April 2017. Additionally, another Rs 15 lakh was deducted to Cherukuri Satyanarayana for 'coaching'. He is not my coach and he never was," Surekha told reporters in Vijayawada.
According to Surekha, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) officials had made a deal with Satyanarayana. "CM Chandrababu Naidu’s noble will of encouraging sports personnel is getting diverted with the personal motives of a few coaches and officials of SAAP and the government should respond immediately and do justice for me," she continued.
“In 2012, I played a championship in the USA with financial support from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA). From that time, I have won medals in various national and international fixtures. How can the SAAP officials deduct the cash incentive announced by the Chief Minister without any prior intimation?” she asked.
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Surekha was the youngest ever to win the prestigious Arjuna award from South India for excellence in the field of archery. She also became the first awardee to receive this honour since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Last month, she won the bronze medal at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai alongside Abhishek Verma.
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Feature image Credit: Sportskeeda
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