New Delhi, Sept 16 : Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs M S Gill presented, a demand draft of Rs. 3 lakh to Sulinder Kaur, widow of late Makkhan Singh here today.

The amount has been approved as a lump sum assistance from the National Welfare fund for the sportspersons.

Makkhan Singh was gold medalist in 4 x 400 mtrs relay race and also won silver medal in 400 mtrs in 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. He also participated in 1964 Olympic Games. In the National Games held in 1964, he won first position in 400 mtrs race

overshadowing Milkha Singh, who secured second position. Because of his brilliant performance, the Government decorated him with Arjuna Award in 1964.

It may be recalled that the Sports Ministry had approved financial assistance of rupees 1.5 lakh each earlier this month to widows of four members of the Indian football team that took part in Melbourne Olympics, 1956 and reached up to semi-finals.

In February, this year, nine surviving members of the Indian football team, Samar Banerjee, S. S. Narayan, A. S. Salam, A. Hussain, N. K. Nandi, P. K. Banerjee, M. Z. Zulfikar, Tulsidas Balaram and Keshto Pal were also given financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh each. (ANI)