Jauna Murmu and (right) the report carried in The Telegraph on March 18.

Bhubaneswar, April 5: After having to wait for nearly six months for a cash award from the state government, athlete Jauna Murmu is now hoping that there would be no more slips between the cup and the lip.

The Centre, in a letter to the state, has clarified that Murmu was very much a part of the gold medal winning team in the 4x400 metre relay event at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) last October and rightfully deserves such an award.

“We have received the letter clarifying that she (Murmu) was part of the gold winning team and deserves a cash award from the state. The file has been processed and is lying with the chief minister for approval. As soon as that happens, we will send her a letter and make an official announcement regarding the prize money,” said a senior official of the sports and youth affairs department.

The state government had decided that gold medallists in team events at the Asiad and Commonwealth Games would be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh each. “Apart from this, she would also receive incentives and awards due to gold medallists from the government of India,” added the official.

“I am just waiting for the letter,” said Jauna over phone from Patiala, where she is attending a training camp. She plans to spend a major part of her cash award on the development of her village in the backward Mayurbhanj district. Her village, Badakundrum, is still awaiting electricity and water supply connection.

The Telegraph had earlier carried a report — “Medallist in red tap maze” — on March 18 mentioning that the state government had not felicitated her despite her feat. This was apparently because of the confusion caused by the fact that Murmu did not run in the finals though she was one of the six members that comprised the winning team and duly awarded a gold medal.

While she continues to wait for the award, other sportspersons from the state who won medals at the CWG, have been lavished with cash prizes. Weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar, who clinched gold, was presented Rs 10 lakh and a homestead land while athlete Srabani Nanda got Rs 3 lakh for bronze. Ace hockey player and silver medallist at the CWG, Prabodh Tirkey, was also awarded Rs 5 lakh, albeit after a huge delay.

Frustrated, Murmu, through some mediapersons, sought the attention of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in January.

The chief minister directed the sports department to examine her claims following which director of youth affairs and sports, S.P. Mishra, later clarified that Murmu would be awarded as soon as state received an “official confirmation” from the Centre.

Now that the letter from the Union government has come, Murmu hopes to clear the final hurdle. All that she now needs is a nod from the chief minister.