Won several medals, but para power-lifting champs still waiting for state cash awards

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 13

Despite winning several national and international medals, para-players in the region haven’t received their prize money for the last several years.

Owing to the government’s apathy, players are forced to take early retirement.

Kuldeep Singh (30), a para-powerlifter, who started playing the sport when he was just a teenager, holds around a dozen medals, including six gold and one national para-powerlifting championship medals, two world championships and remaining in other international championships.

However, not even once was he paid any cash award by the state government.

While the cash reward in the form of financial assistance is offered to players in the state to encourage them to excel in their game, the negligence of sports authorities in releasing the reward has demotivated players.

Playing presently in 88-weight category, Kuljit said: “Since 2007, I have been winning medals, but not even once was I offered any prize money by the state government. When our government remains silent in disbursing cash awards, it demotivates us. In our neighbouring states, medal winners are conferred with cash rewards in lakhs, which eventually encourage them to improve their game in future championships. Whereas here, we are just given false promises and every year after submitting our documents for the award, we are only given assurances that never see the light of day.”

A senior para-player (identity withheld), who not only made his district and the state proud of his achievements, but also trained many other physically disabled players, said, the sports policy was announced in 2007 for medal winners of Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and other national championships, but a large number of para power-lifters were deprived of it.

“Apart from the motivation, cash rewards help supplement diet and training expenses of players, which is always tough to manage. The game has become costly and players need money to fulfil our daily need,” the player said.

As per these players, the government has kept Rs40,000, Rs25,000 and Rs15,000 cash awards for gold, silver and bronze medal winners, respectively.

Manpreet Kaur (32), a para-player from Phagwara, who even holds world ranking, hasn’t been given the cash award for the last five years. She has five gold and two silver medals in her kitty that she bagged from national and international games, including Asian Games.

Many para-players who dreamt of securing a job for themselves after winning the national and international medal are reportedly left practising their game only due to lack of prize money. Kuldeep works in his fields to supplement income for his family. “Most of our seniors have left the game including Manjit Singh, a talented and award winning player, and Rajdeep Kaur, a Commonwealth and Asian championship medalist,” Kuldeep said.

DPS Kharbanda, director of Sports Punjab, claimed that the department had been providing cash awards to all eligible players and asked all deserving recipients of the cash award to approach for their awards. The contact details could be sought from the website, he said.