MS Gill wants States to honour former Olympians

New Delhi (PTI): A day after honouring the heroes of India's 1956 Melbourne Olympic football teams, Sports Minister MS Gill on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal requesting them to fete the soccer players of the yesteryears.

"I have written to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, drawing their attention to the function we had yesterday to honour the living members of the great Indian team of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, where they were in the last four, a remarkable achievement never again repeated," Gill told PTI.

"I have requested the CMs that they too should hold a similar function honouring them and giving them a handsome financial rewards," he added.

"Almost all the players hail from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. I have requested them that they should be graceful enough to honour all and not just those who are from their own state," Gill said.

"This would be a good gesture and it will encourage and lift Indian football," added the Sports Minister.