Came to National Games as prize money too hard to ignore: Sandeep Sejwal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Among the small bunch of India's international medallists who chose to participate in the National Games despite the event falling in off season, Asian Games bronze-medallist Sandeep Sejwal today said the prize money on offer for every gold won here is just too tempting to ignore.

Sejwal, only the third Indian in the last 28 years to grab a medal at the Asian Games, is here to compete in the National Games and the biggest motivation for turning up in an event devoid of big stars is the huge prize money on offer.

"It is actually my off season right now but when I got to know that the National Games are scheduled at this time, I decided to compete because the prize money on offer is very good. The other big stars who have skipped may have their reasons but the money on offer in very hard to ignore," Sejwal said candidly in an interview to PTI.

A host of top athletes such as shuttle queen Saina Nehwal, wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar and Olympic medallist boxer M C Mary Kom decided to skip the National Games for varied reasons, robbing the event of significant star power.

"There are so many gold medals on offer in swimming and with them a lot of prize money. I could take back anything between Rs 20 to 30 lakh if I win gold medals in my events. It is hard to ignore," said the 26-year-old from Delhi, who is representing Madhya Pradesh in the Games.

"Money aside, it is always good to stay in touch with the pool even in off season. In Bangalore and Delhi, where I train, the weather right now is cold so the pools are not conducive for training and we don't have warm pools for training. But here in Kerala it is ideal for me, so I am enjoying the experience," he added.