Chandigarh ‘apathy’ leaves para-cyclist in the lurch

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

City-based para-cyclist Abhishek Singh Shekhu had expected to hear at least a word of appreciation, if not a job, from the UT Administration after he became the first from the city to have won the Asian Para Cycling Championship at Bahrain in 2017.

However, he tried committing suicide after being unable to have a secured future despite winning a medal for the nation. He didn’t even receive the cash award, for which he had applied after winning the medal in 2017.

Let's see how long they take to appreciate my efforts. —Abhishek Singh Shekhu, Para-cyclist

Shekhu, who lost sensation in his right leg after being afflicted with polio in childhood, turned into a professional cyclist at the age of 16. “The effort was completely mine and my familys. Just like any other player, I expected a job to secure my future and to carry forward my cycling for the nation,” said Shekhu.

Just another case

Not only Shekhu but hundreds of other sportspersons are waiting to get cash awards on a par with Haryana or Punjab, as was announced by the UT. In July, the the UT decided to clear the awards in 30 days, but it apparently was another publicity stunt. In the past five years, the sports advisory committee has never been headed by any sportspersons or sports achiever. “Waiting for five years to get a cash award, what kind of message the authorities are trying to give to its sportspersons,” said an international hockey player.