The Haryana Sports and youth affairs department, in a notification dated April 30, has asked its sportspersons to deposit one third of their earning from professional sports and endorsements to the Haryana Sports council for "development of sports" in the state, the Economic Times reports.


"One-third of the income earned by sports-persons from professional sports or commercial endorsements will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council, amount to be used for development of sports in the state, the notification read.


The circular issued by the Sports and youth affairs department states that athletes who are employed in any department of the State Government or any other government bodies participating in professional sports or endorsements will be accorded extraordinary leave without pay.


The notification said that in case the "sportsperson is treated on duty with prior approval of the competent authority while taking part in professional sports or commercial endorsements, the full income earned by the sport person on this account will be deposited with Haryana State Sports Council."


The state of Haryana has produced a huge number of sports personalities who have represented the nation at various international levels. However, the decision to take a cut from the players earning is bound to leave many athletes frustrated.


Wrestler Babita Phogat told ANI, "Does the government even realize how much of hard work a sportsperson puts in? How can they ask for one-third of the income? I do not support this at all. Govt should've at least discussed it with us."


Earlier in April of this year the Haryana Government, had cancelled a ceremony to felicitate the medal winners from Commonwealth Games. Prior to this the state Government had also proposed a cut in prize money from those who had won medals at Gold Coast.


Image: Wrestler Babita Phogat.