Haryana players shining, but sports budget not enough: Deepender

Nitish Sharma
Tribune News Service
Ambala/Kurukshetra, July 31
Criticising the Central Government, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda today said despite winning the bulk of the medals for the country at international games, Haryana was not getting sufficient budget for sports activities.
Speaking to mediapersons, the Rohtak MP said: “About 21 per cent athletes in the Indian contingent for the Olympics are from Haryana. In the last four Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games, about 40 to 50 per cent of the medals have been won by the players of Haryana. Despite the achievement, the state was not getting sufficient budget. Under Khelo India, Haryana was given around Rs 65 crore only, while some states from where hardly two-three players are participating in the Olympics got the bigger share.”
“Even in the overall budget, the state was neglected. The BJP should clarify the reason behind not mentioning the state’s name in the speech”, he added.
Deepender along with Varun Chaudhry reached Sherpur village to pay condolence to the family of Naik Gurpreet Singh, who was martyred in Leh last week. Later, they went to Dheen village to congratulate the family members of Sarabjot Singh for winning a bronze in the Olympics.
Later, the Rohtak MP Deepender visited Shahabad as part of his ‘Haryana Mange Hisaab’ campaign. In a setback to the JJP, its Shahabad MLA Ramkaran Kala also participated in Deepender’s padyatra. Ramkaran’s two sons joined the Congress before the Lok Sabha elections, Ramkaran Kala, who was holding hands with Congress Ladwa MLA Mewa Singh during the padyatra, is yet to join the grand old party officially.
Ramkaran couldn’t be contacted, but party’s spokesman Vivek Chourdhary said he was still with the party, the matter would be brought to the notice of the party high command.
Earlier, before starting the yatra, the Rohtak MP paid tributes at Udham Singh Memorial in Shahabad on his martyrdom day and concluded the yatra at Devi Mandir Chowk after covering various localities of Shahabad.
“Through the ‘Haryana Mange Hisaab’ campaign, the Congress has raised 15 questions, including on unemployment, crime and drugs, but the government hasn’t been able to give the answers....When will the BJP break its silence?” he asked.

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