A morale booster, says Harmeet

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12: Top Indian amateur golfer Harmeet Kahlon, who has been selected for the Arjuna Award, said here today that “the announcement of the highest national sports award is very timely and encouraging. It is a morale booster as the Indian golfers are preparing hard for the forthcoming Asian Games. Moreover, the government has appreciated my staying amateur for such a long time and representing the country while I could have earned lot of money on the pro circuit.”

An elated Harmeet said “the award will be a guiding factor to excel more while representing the country in the Asian Games.”

A beaming Harmeet’s father Captain Manmohan Kahlon said “we were under tremendous pressure but we sticked to the collective decision. That is why Harmeet is still an amateur golfer while his colleagues have turned professionals.”

Story continues below this ad

Harmeet will turn professional “only after achieving his ambition of winning the major world titles and he is moving from strength to strength in this direction.”

“The Arjuna Award is a big recognition for an amateur golfer from the Government,” said Captain Kahlon.