Gujarat’s Vishwaraj Jadeja skating on thin ice

Tribune News Service

Vinayak Padmadeo

New Delhi, January 30

Vishwaraj Jadeja is the only athlete from Gujarat eligible to participate in the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games. However, the ice skating champion, who is currently training in Europe on his own, has refused the chance to represent his state in the games scheduled to start in Gulmarg from February 2.

The same people who want me to participate do not even respond to my mails regarding my pending dues, and that is why I have decided to not take part in the Khelo India Winter Games. Vishwaraj Jadeja

Jadeja is operating on a shoe-string budget; and coupled with official apathy as the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) is yet to release funds owed to him, the athlete has decided to stay in Netherlands and continue his training for the World Championships and Winter Olympics qualifications.

Jadeja recently won a gold medal in the 10km race, silver medals in the 5km and 3km races and a bronze medal in 1km race at the Winter World Masters Games in Italy.

“It is a problem when an athlete is pressured into travelling at such short notice of two-three days. They have to realise that I operate on a thin budget. I have to make space in my training schedule and there is a limit to all of this,” Jadeja told The Tribune today.

“Funnily, the same people who want me to participate do not even respond to my mails regarding my pending dues and that is why I have decided to not take part in the Khelo India Winter Games,” he added.

Although Jadeja did not disclose the actual amount owed to him, he did give an idea of how much he needs to sustain his training for a year. “Let’s say that the government spends Rs 60 lakh for Neeraj Chopra’s three-month training stint. My entire year’s budget is a third of that,” he said.

Jadeja has raised the same issue in a letter addressed to SAG. “…However, I regret to inform you that additional financial assistance is imperative for this purpose. Regrettably, despite my ongoing efforts, funds expected under the Shaktidoot scheme since 2022 and the Khel Pratibha award since 2020 from the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) have yet to be disbursed. Until the release of these funds or clarification regarding the support provided, I am unable to finalise any travel arrangements, lacking the necessary provisions,” he wrote in the mail.

“I earnestly hope that the relevant department will take prompt action to address this longstanding shortfall. I will ensure to keep you updated on any developments regarding this matter," he added.

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