Golden boy Neeraj Chopra eager to visit Milkha Singh’s house in Chandigarh

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 8

Having fulfilled legendary sprinter Milkha Singh’s wish of seeing an Indian athlete climb the podium at the Olympics, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is now eager to visit the Milkha household here along with his gold medal.

Chopra became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the Olympics after he topped the podium with a throw of 87.6m in Tokyo early last month.

The 23-year-old had dedicated his medal to Milkha Singh, who died of Covid in June. Though Milkha was not able to see Chopra stand right on top of the Olympics podium, the Haryana athlete had made sure that the world remembered the sprinter in his hour of glory.

“I dedicate this medal to Milkha Singh. I hope he’s watching over me from wherever he is,” Neeraj had said soon after winning the gold medal.

Later, while responding to a tweet by former Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chopra had said: “Mera bhi sapna tha ki Milkha Singh ji ki wish puri kar paun. Bas yehi umeed hai ki woh jahan bhi hai, ye dekh kar khush hue honge.”

Meanwhile, Chopra, who was in the city today expressed his helplessness at not being able to visit Milkha household yet. However, he ensured that he would visit the house very soon.

“I wanted to visit Milkha Singh’s house soon after winning the medal. However, I am yet to go there. It’s my duty to take this gold medal to his house,” said Chopra.

“Had he been alive, he would have been proud of me. It’s disheartening that he’s not among us, but his inspiring words will always inspire me to give my best. I am a bit late, but this medal will surely visit the Milkha Singh’s house,” he added.

Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said he would accompany Chopra to the Sector 8 house.

“I had spoken to Jeev Milkha Singh, he was out of the country playing some championship. As soon as he comes back, we would accompany Chopra to Sector 8,” said Sodhi.

“Dad waited so many years for this to happen. His dream has finally come true with India’s first athletics gold. I am crying as I tweet this. And I am sure dad is crying up above. Thank you for making this happen,” Milkha’s son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh had wrote after Chopra dedicated his medal to the ‘Flying Sikh’.

“Before coming here, Neeraj had asked if we could visit Milkha Singh’s house… I promised to schedule the visit as soon as possible,” said Sodhi.

Chopra was in the city today for the second time after winning the gold medal in Tokyo. Last month, he had visited the city to meet Haryana Governor, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other officials.