Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has expressed its concern over the way sports persons in the state were being treated, stating that the move had led promising players with no options but to play on behalf of others states.
In a statement issued from party headquarters in Chandigarh here on Friday, young MLAs, including Gurmit Singh (Meet Hayer), and Rupinder Ruby said that the government of Punjab, especially sports ministry had been turning a blind eye to providing essential facilities to them. In the absence of essential facilities, promising players were being forced to play on behalf of other states,
Hayer said on the occasion that the sports persons showcasing their talents both at the national and international sport events and romping home with medals were, instead of becoming role models for the youth in the state, forced into drugs in the absence of adequate employment opportunities.
Expressing her serious concern over the issue, Ruby said that owning to inadequate facilities in the state, iconic players and medal winners were being forced to play on behalf of other states since they provided them seamless facilities, including provision of employment opportunities, which, she alleged, was the fallout of bad and anti-player sports policy of the government.
In a joint statement, the young leaders urged the state government to allocate adequate funds in the current budget session to ensure optimal facilities for the sportspersons and ensuring a regular employment for them depending upon their capabilities. They said the government must ensure enhancement of the existing amount allocated for players injured during the game.