UT to Asian champs: Prove you played national tourneys

“We often play abroad and all over India but we are ashamed to say that we have represented Chandigarh in the past. They have never done anything in the past and every time we approach Shivraj Patil,the UT Administrator,we are asked to talk to concerned officials. This time too,Punjab and even Haryana government have announced cash awards for even non-state players but Chandigarh Administration has done nothing. Punjab government has honoured us as Punjabis and we are grateful for that,” said Rajpal Singh,skipper of the Indian hockey team while speaking to Newsline on Friday.

While Rupinder Pal Singh played for India in the Asian Champions Trophy,Rajpal Singh and Chandigarh lad Dharamveer Singh,who is currently injured,have also represented India in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and won silver and bronze medal respectively. All the players have represented Chandigarh in more than 20 tournaments,have been told to submit proof of playing for Chandigarh and the players say it is shameful.

“We have played for the Indian team and nobody has asked us for any proof. I have led Chandigarh in more than six-seven national championships and yet the officials ask us to submit proof. For more than five years,we played for the Chandigarh Football and Hockey Academy,a brain child of former governor Lt Gen JFR Jacobs,and yet they ask us for proof. It is very humiliating as a player,” said Rupinder.

While the players have been running to various government officials,Chandigarh officials said that the department will soon organise a felicitation function. Ten months after fetching medals in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games,the players are still awaiting any cash award or announcement of jobs by the Administration. “As of now,Chandigarh does not have a sports policy. We would honour the players soon and the talks are going with the senior officials. Regarding players asked to submit the proof,I will look personally into it and talk to the higher authorities. It is a matter which the higher authorities can decide,” said Rahul Gupta,Chandigarh Sports Director.