Moved by the indigent financial state of former volleyball player Saly George Joseph, Sports Minister M S Gill today sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh to help the Arjuna awardee.

"Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr M S Gill has sanctioned ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2.50 Lakh from National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, to Ms Saly George Joseph, a former volleyball player and Arjuna Awardee (1984), who is living in indigent conditions," the Sports Ministry said in a statement.