close_game
close_game

Govt turns a blind eye to international cricketer from Jalandhar

Hindustan Times | ByAakanksha N Bhardwaj, Jalandhar
Aug 30, 2016 01:31 PM IST

On the one hand the Punjab government took to Twitter on National Sports Day to make tall claims about providing sports infrastructure in the state, an international-level blind cricketer from the city who was part of the World Cup winning team in 2014 is waiting for a job.

On the one hand the Punjab government took to Twitter on National Sports Day to make tall claims about providing sports infrastructure in the state, an international-level blind cricketer from the city who was part of the World Cup winning team in 2014 is waiting for a job.

Tajinder Pal Singh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his team won the 2014 blind cricket world cup. The 28-year-old Jalandhar player has been waiting for the Punjab government to announce a job and reward for him.(HT File Photo)
Tajinder Pal Singh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his team won the 2014 blind cricket world cup. The 28-year-old Jalandhar player has been waiting for the Punjab government to announce a job and reward for him.(HT File Photo)

“Had I belonged to a wealthier family, the scenario would have been different. Now, I am tired of even hoping,” said Tajinder Pal Singh, 28. He was also part of the team that won the T20 World Cup in 2015.

Singh, who has done masters in Hindi from Punjab University, Chandigarh, said he had received Rs 5 lakh from the central government after the team returned from the World Cup. The team also got a chance to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“That was a special moment and I had thought that all my miseries will come to an end,” said Tajinder, adding that the hope was short-lived as none of the state politicians or sports officials visited him.

“Koi nahi aaya, na koi MLA, na koi leader, kisi ne parvaah bhi nahee ki,” said Tajinder, whose father, Harjinder Singh, is a tailor. “We are very poor... Ab to kaam bhi band hone vala hai (now even the shop is about to get shut.” Besides newspapers that carried his records and achievements, Tajinder has kept some other documents about the reward paid to his counterparts by their respective state governments.

“Other players have received a good amount of money from their states. Why can’t my state give me anything? Is a job for an international-level blind sportsman too much to ask for?” said Tajinder.

“On National Sports Day, I want to urge the government to do something for sportspersons, so that in future no youngster thinks twice before joining sports,” said the cricketer.

His father, too, is “hurt” as “I was expecting someone to come and appreciate my son.

Adampur MLA and former chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) for sports Pawan Kumar Tinu, said: “I have already sent a recommendation for job and cash reward to Tajinder. I will make sure he gets what he deserves.”

See More
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, February 08, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On