Former national boxing coach Gurbax Sandhu to return Dronacharya award in solidarity with farmers

Tribune News Service
Patiala, December 4

Former national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu has announced that he will be returning his Dronacharya Award—the highest national award in the field of coaching—in support of agitating farmers.

Sandhu said that he was pained to see farmers, especially women, sleeping on the roads to protest against the three contentious farm laws.

He said, “I am also the son of the farmers like the majority of sportspersons. I am pained to see my elders protesting on roads, braving the odd weather. The central government should immediately agree to the demands of the protesting farmers.”

Notably, Sandhu was instrumental in India’s first medal in boxing at Olympics—when Vijender Singh won bronze in 2008.

When asked about joining farmers in their protest in Delhi, he replied, “Though I want to sit with farmers in their protest, but, unfortunately, my health does not allow it. I am not able to walk due to a knee problem.”