Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Deputy Chief Minister,Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal,has called kabbadi the maa khed of the state and on Wednesday was enjoying the events at Faridkot even as four national level female players from Ludhiana (one in a wheel chair) expressed their humiliation of not being invited by the organizers,even as spectators.
One of the players,Jaspreet Kaur,who is in a wheel chair,had to wait for over an hour outside the stadium gate with her mother. It was only when locals raised the issue with the organisers that they escorted the former national level kabbadi player into the stadium. She was then taken to meet the DCM who announced a grant of
Rs 1 lakh for the injured player.
It was while playing a national level tournament in Patiala that Jaspreet,a gold medalist,suffered a spinal injury. Kaur said,After my injury,the state government did not offer me any job. It was difficult to sustain my self. I live with my mother and after some efforts the Sports Department has granted me a pension of Rs 10,000. But then these things have come to me with so much difficulty that some of my colleagues have bid good bye to the game forever.
Players like me were not invited for the previous Kabbadi cup also. We have been the torch bearers of the game and inviting us to watch a match would be a kind gesture on the part of the organisers, added Jaspreet Kaur.
Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said,I am not sure about the invitations but the moment I came to know about her I took her to the DCM. She has a problem with the road leading to her home and we will repair that too. About her job,I have asked her for her certificates and will try and secure a job for her.
