Thank you BCCI, says Gill

NEW DELHI: Sports Minister M S Gill on Sunday expressed gratitude towards the BCCI for its decision to give an annual grant of Rs 50 crore to National Sports Development Fund after India's best-ever medal haul in the Beijing Olympic Games.
    
"BCCI is our richest sports institution and its President Sharad Pawar was kind enough to give Rs 25 crore for the development of other games to the National Sports Development Fund. But I wanted them to raise the help to Rs 50 crore a year and I am happy that Pawar and BCCI have decided to give Rs 50 crore a year," Gill said.
    
Indians will for the first time return with three Olympic medals -- one gold and two bronze -- from the Beijing edition.
     
"This gesture just when the country has done so well in the Beijing Olympics will be welcomed by all our people.
    
"I wish to thank Pawar and the BCCI. I am confident he will continue to expand the support to other games which do not have adequate finances," he added.