Chandigarh, Feb 14 (IANS) In a bid to promote sports, the Haryana government will constitute a body on the lines of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), a minister said Saturday.

'Besides sports related activities, Haryana Sports Authority will look after the construction of stadiums and their maintenance in the state. Rs.56 crore has been spent for the promotion of sports in Haryana during the current financial year,' Sports Minister Gopal Kanda said.

Kanda added that more sports nurseries and sports wings will be set up to various sports.

Besides, giving a major boost to the sportspersons in Haryana, the state government here Saturday also announced a manifold increase in the cash prize for sportspersons winning medals in national and international competitions.

'Cash prize for the sportspersons winning gold medal in the national games has been increased from Rs.55,000 to Rs.300,000, whereas cash prize for players winning silver and bronze medals has been increased from Rs.35,000 to Rs.200,000 and from Rs.25,000 to Rs.100,000 respectively,' Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said.

'Similarly sportspersons winning gold medals in the world cup/championships would now get Rs. 500,000 instead of Rs.300,000. Players winning silver and bronze medals would get Rs.400,000 and Rs.300,000 instead of Rs.200,000 and Rs.100,000 respectively.'