Uttar Pradesh has seen the government change thrice since 2010, but golfer Rahul Bajaj awaits the job he was promised after his team silver at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Bajaj, the only medallist in the sport from the state till date, was felicitated in January 2011 in Lucknow by the then Chief Minister Mayawati and promised an opening in a state government undertaking or in the police.
“It’s about the government keeping its word and not as if I’m seeking a favour,” said Bajaj. But that’s how he’s been made to feel over the years. Once, he even missed a tournament to travel to Lucknow to meet Narad Rai, sports minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government. Bajaj was made to wait for hours before being told that not much could be done.
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This wasn’t an isolated incident as the 31-year-old has been snubbed many a time by bureaucrats and politicians or returned with hollow promises. “Setbacks are part of a sportsman’s career; it is ok when the game is fine, when it isn’t, playing with money at the back of the mind is disconcerting,” said Bajaj.
His chances took another hit when rules were changed by the Samajwadi Party government in 2015. Now, medallists after 2014 were entitled to government jobs but even now the Department of Sports (UP govt) website does not reflect the rule change.
{{/usCountry}}His chances took another hit when rules were changed by the Samajwadi Party government in 2015. Now, medallists after 2014 were entitled to government jobs but even now the Department of Sports (UP govt) website does not reflect the rule change.
{{/usCountry}}It states, “Meritorious sports persons that are natives of Uttar Pradesh and have acquired medals in international events like Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and many more are directly recruited on the post of gazetted officers in various departments.”
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When contacted, Dr RP Singh, director-sports, said, “Who made the offer?” When reminded of the 2011 felicitation in Lucknow, he replied, “Those who needed jobs had to give an application, two of the medallists did so and have got jobs. He (Bajaj) gave an application only a year back (which is not the case) and it’s being looked into.”
Financial security could have helped the winner on the Professional Golf Tour of India focus better on golf, and till the time “promises translate into action”, it will be a tussle between hope and despair for Bajaj.