Former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Suresh Kalmadi on Tuesday said it was a "disappointing" budget for the sports in the wake of many international events on card in the country.
"The budget as a whole is good. But as far as sports is concerned it is disappointing," Kalmadi told PTI today.
Kalmadi, who is a Member of Parliament, said he had expected that the Sports Ministry would be given at least Rs 200 crore more than it had been allotted, in view of the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
"We had thought that the Sports Ministry will receive Rs 200 crore more for foreign competitions, foreign coaches and various other things like proper diet (for the sportspersons), sports medicines," said the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games.
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The Government today made a 37 per cent increased allocation of Rs 162.01 crore for sports in the budget for the next financial year.
Of the total amount allocated to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Centre has committed to spend a huge chunk -- Rs 150 crore -- on the development of infrastructure for the 2010 Games.
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