Jakarta/Palembang: The Indian contingent at Asian Games are yet to receive their daily allowances. The athletes are due to receive $50 everyday. This comes even after several members of the contingent are on the verge of leaving.
Doubles gold medallists Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will be heading to New York for US Open and the shooters are heading to Changwon, South Korea for the world championships.
BS Kushwaha, deputy chef de mission from the Indian Olympic Association, told PTI, " The cards are to be activated from Delhi, not here. I am in constant touch with the IOA officials in Delhi and they said it will be done soon. It could be done by today evening."
However, many junior athletes have complained that the delay in receiving the allowance has caused them problems.
"Everything is taken care of in the Games Village but there are times you need the money. My point is that if you have to give the money anyway, why not do it at the start of the tournament? Most of the tennis players are gone, so what is the point if they load the card now," an athlete told PTI.
Kushwaha pointed out that in most cases there are errors in the forms of the athletes, causing the delay. While sports ministry gives the go-ahead, it is the Indian Olympic Association that disburses the allowances to the athletes.