Indian athletes in Glasgow yet to get their daily allowance

By Bharat Sharma

NEW DELHI: A sizeable chunk of Indian athletes are yet to get their full quota of daily allowance a week into the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Most of the 215 strong Indian contingent have spent more than 10 days without the full allowance which has been increased to $50 (INR 3000 approx) from $25 (INR 1500 approx).

The squash squad including Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal have not been paid their dues at all while the TT players received half of the allowance just yesterday night.

"We have not got anything so far but we are told we should be getting the money soon," Ghosal, who became the first Indian to reach the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, told PTI.

Soumyajit Ghosh, part of the men's table tennis side, said he received his 10-day allowance as per $25 and not the increased amount.

"We have got it for 10 days just yesterday. Don't know much about the rest of the amount. Hopefully, we will get that later," said Ghosh, the reigning national champion.

Sports Secretary Ajit Sharan explained the delay in the disbursement of daily allowance.

"The allowance was doubled from $25 to $50 on Friday after we got approval from the finance ministry. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has not yet opened account there (in Glasgow) so all money could not be transferred," Sharan told PTI.

"But there is nothing to worry. All the athletes will get their due allowance. The players are at the Games Village and every need of theirs will be taken care of. There is no need to worry as everyone will get their entitled sanctioned allowance," he assured.

Indian contingent's chef de mission in Glasgow, Raj Singh, could not be reached for comments.

Squash star Dipika Pallikal said not getting the dues on time was not proving to be much of a hassle though it would be better if they get it on time.

"We are staying at the Games Village so we really don't need to spend on anything there. We are told that we would be getting our dues soon. It has not been an issue so far but it is always better if things are done on time," said Pallikal, the first Indian to break into the world's top-10.