CM sanctions ₹4.5 lakh aid to shooter Priya Singh
MEERUT: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday sanctioned ₹4.5 lakh for the 19-yearold shooter Priya Singh, to enable her participation in the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Germany, which will begin on June 22.The daughter of a Dalit labourer from village Bhainsa in Mawana area of Meerut, Priya was one of six candidates selected for the 50m rifle prone ISSF Junior World Cup scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany.
MEERUT: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday sanctioned ₹4.5 lakh for the 19-year-old shooter Priya Singh, to enable her participation in the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Germany, which will begin on June 22.
“When I heard of this news, I immediately granted Rs 4.5 lakh in support of her (Priya). I also directed the Meerut district magistrate to provide all arrangements to help her to go to Germany,” Yogi told media persons.
“Such a promising and talented athlete should not be kept from an international competition because of monetary issues. We extended our support for that reason. We will keep this stance in the future also, so that no athlete faces any such problem and are encouraged to keep up their good work. I wish all the participants of the (ISSF) Junior World Cup the best and hope they get good news for the nation,” he said.
The director general of the Sports Authority of India Neelam Kapur also confirmed support for Priya. “Yes, we will help her improve her scores and other facilities. We will consider providing her a rifle too,” said Kapur.
The daughter of a Dalit labourer from village Bhainsa in Mawana area of Meerut, Priya was one of six candidates selected for the 50m rifle prone ISSF Junior World Cup scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany.
Having made it to the prestigious event on a borrowed rifle, she finished fourth in the qualifier. This posed a problem for her as the government provides sponsorship to the top three candidates.
The secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Rajeev Bhatia had also said earlier that they bore the expenses of team members, while other members of the core group had to shoulder the cost of their stay and travel to participate in the event.
Despite being unsure of how she would sponsor her participation, Priya went ahead and sought permission from the NRAI to take part in the World Cup at her own cost. The association supported her in processing her visa and other requirements.
Meanwhile, Priya’s father Brijpal Singh, who works under a contractor and earns Rs 10,000 a month, contacted some moneylenders to arrange for her travel and stay expenses, but got no support. Finding no other way to realise her dreams, Priya tried approaching the CM and narrated her struggles to the media.
Delighted with the chief minister’s timely help, she thanked him for his gesture.
She and her father had also petitioned the Prime Minister and the district magistrate.
HTC (WITH AGENCY INPUTS)