Carl Lewis may train Kerala athletes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government is considering inviting the athletics legend Carl Lewis for training budding sportspersons in the state.

If the Centre was ready to provide assistance, the state government would move forward in the matter with the aim of winning an Olympic medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games, state Sports Minister M Vijayakumar said on Sunday.

According to the proposal at hand, four athletes would be trained under the scheme at a cost of Rs 14 crore.

The cash awards for Olympic medal winners have been enhanced to Rs 5 lakh for gold, Rs 3 lakh for silver and Rs 2 lakh for bronze, the minister said.

Indian seamer Sreesanth would also be honoured with a gold coin weighing 10 sovereigns for his outstanding performance in the South African tour.