Picked for cash award, left out — national football team skipper from city peeved at move

As UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria claimed ‘no dues left’ after local sportspersons were honoured with cash awards by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today, national football team captain Sandesh Jhingan, who belongs to the city, was left in a shock for not only that his name was not on the list of awardees, but the embarrassment he had to suffer.

Jhingan, the captain of the Indian team playing the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, claimed that he had received a phone call on Wednesday inviting him for the felicitation function. A few minutes later, he was told that the invite was extended to him by mistake and his case was not cleared for the cash award.

A recipient of the Arjuna Award, Jhingan is the only footballer from the city to bag the national honour. However, he has never been awarded by the UT Administration.

“I really didn’t want to indulge in all this...but the authorities should acknowledge sportspersons the way we deserve and not the way they wish to,” said Jhingan. He added, “While other entities invite meritorious sportspersons to honour them, here (in Chandigarh) we have to apply for it, and even face rejection.”

Jhingan, who has won the AIFF Player of the Year award, bagged laurels for India at two Asian Games, SAAF Cup, two Asian Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and Pan-Asian Series. He has made almost 70 international appearances.

“I think it started last year or in 2023, when they (the Administration) invited applications for cash awards and I have been applying since then. I was told that I was eligible (for today’s felicitation function) only for my achievements in the SAAF Cup and Asian Games. I had applied for the same,” he added.

The skipper said the call made him think if he really belonged to the city. “The call was an eye-opener for me. I was invited to the felicitation function. A few minutes later, I was told that the invite was extended ‘mistakenly’ as I am not eligible for the awards. When asked, the caller informed that I stay in Mohali and perhaps this must be the reason. It was really frustrating,” added Jhingan.

“We have not stopped a single case and approvals have come even if some relaxations were needed. In his (Jhingan) case, the matter is being considered as a priority, and he will surely receive the cash award,” said Sorabh Kumar Arora, Director Sports.