At protest sites, players practise for championships

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 15

While on the one hand, veteran sportsmen in the state have launched their “award wapsi” campaign to lend support to the farmers’ protest, the contemporary brigade of sportsmen, on the other hand, has caught people’s attention with their makeshift gym at the Singhu border.

In order to continue their training while adding fuel to the voice of peasants, national and international players are working out at the border to keep their form intact. Most players have to take part in championships in February next year.

Makeshift gym

Exercise is part of our daily routine. So we decided to set up a gym here. When we don’t practice, we work in the fields. Hence, we understand how much it takes to grow a crop. — Sonu, player

The players include international power lifter Aman Hothi from Talwan village, Mangi Bagga, an international circle kabaddi player, and many others.

Aman Hothi said, “I and my friends from Talwan have brought all the gym equipment. We can’t take the risk of missing out on our training. Hence, till the time the Centre does not agree on the farmers’ demands, we will exercise here only.”

“Exercise is part of our daily routine. So we decided to set up a gym here. When we don’t practice, we work in the fields. Hence, we understand how much it takes to grow a crop. Apart from players, anyone who wants to exercise here is welcome,” added Sonu, a player from Shahkot.

Toni (45), a former kabaddi player, who has been at the protest site from day one said, “My students wanted to come here, but I didn’t want them to miss out on their physical training. But now, the gym here has resolved my problem and my students are here with me.”

Most players, after exercising for over two hours, prepare langar or clean the surroundings..