‘Denied’ incentive, Asian Para Games medallist struggles to make ends meet

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, June 24

It seems the state government has forgotten one of its sporting heroes —Mohammed Yasser. A national record-holder, Yasser, a para-athlete, had won a bronze medal in shot put at the 2018 Para Asian Games held in Jakarta. Sans job and financial assistance, Yasser, a resident of Mohammadpur village, has been struggling to make both ends meet.

As per the Sports Department’s 2018 policy, the government has to provide Rs 50 lakh as a cash incentive to bronze medallists of the Asian Games along with a job.

Ironically, the 26-year-old para-athlete has not received the cash incentive and the job till date.

At present, Yasser is under a debt of Rs 3 lakh. He took a loan to prepare for the 2018 Asian Games. Yasser was hopeful of repaying the loan after getting cash from the government.

He said, “The Sports Department is making excuses for the past two years. I am not being allowed to meet the Sports Minister.”

Yasser said, “The saddest part is that other athletes who took part in the same event (Asian Games) have been felicitated with a cash incentive, but para-athletes are yet to be honoured.”

He said, “Every athlete works hard. We go through intensive training and have to adopt a completely different lifestyle. Para-athletes should be treated equally.” Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Sports Minister, said the government would soon hold an event to felicitate para-athletes. He said, “Everything got delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

After combating the pandemic, we will honour our para-athletes.”