The Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh have made the country proud by winning medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 but an Indian shooter Arjun Babuta missed the chance of winning a medal as he finished fourth in men’s 10m air rifle competition.
There is no denying the fact that the Indian government and state governments have been quite lethargic when it comes to helping the sportspersons and playing a good role in the development of sports in the country. This is the reason because of which the country with the most population has to struggle for medals in the Olympics every year.
Well, the good thing is that the conditions are changing slowly but still there are few state governments that have no interest in doing anything for the development of sports in their states.
Arjun Babuta belongs to the state of Punjab and he is certainly upset with the attitude of the Punjab Chief Minister and the state government towards the athletes. In an interview, Arjun criticizes the Punjab government and asks them to give him a job so that his future is secure and he is able to focus better on his game.
Arjun Babuta stated, “I have not received any benefit from the state government. In 2022, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and then Sports Minister of Punjab Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer promised to offer me a government job. I have also written a letter in this regard, but in reply, I was told to wait. It is very disappointing, and I hope they will look into it, as job security is very important. I hope they will acknowledge my efforts. I should be given a certain rank according to my achievements in sports. I demanded the same from the previous Congress government in Punjab.”
He further added, “Governments are changing, but the demand remains the same… The hope is slowly fading away…The Chief Ministers of different states cheered and met the shooters from their respective states who participated in the Olympics. But nothing was done by the Punjab CM and Punjab Sports Minister for the shooters from Punjab. They didn’t even welcome us at the airport. If they blame the decline of sports in Punjab, the ministers of Punjab have a big role in it.”
Here’s the link of the interview:
Click to watch this video directly on YouTube
Let’s hope that the Punjab government gets serious in this regard and give the athletes the respect that they deserve.
