Jiwanjot resigns, Bajrang bides time
Archery coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja, who guided Indian compound archery team to two silver in the Jakarta Asian Games, has resigned as the national coach after being denied the Dronacharya award.
Also Bajrang Punia, who has raised a furore over missing the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, met sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday evening and requested him to look into his case.
“I asked the minister about the reason for not considering me for the Khel Ratna. He said I didn’t have enough points which is wrong. I have garnered more points than the two (Virat Kohli and Mirabai Chanu) who were nominated,” Bajrang said.
Bajrang was accompanied by his mentor and Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt during the meeting.
“I have been wronged. I want justice. The minister said he will look into the matter but there is hardly any time left for the award function. If I don’t get a favourable reply I will move court,” he added.
Jiwanjot’s name was recommended for the coveted award by the Dronacharya award committee but his name was removed on Wednesday by the sports ministry. “It’s a big disappointment for me. Dronacharya award is a lifetime honour for every coach. After being recommended by the committee, everyone including the archers were happy. But when I was informed that my name was removed by the ministry, I couldn’t believe it.
“So, I thought it’s of no use working in such a system. After consulting my family members, I have decided to resign as national coach,” said Jiwanjot.
“I am forwarding my resignation to the Sports Authority of India and the Archery Association of India (AAI).”
Jiwanjot is also chief coach with Punjabi University, Patiala. “I will continue coaching at grassroots in the university, but will not go to the national camp in future,” says Jiwanjot. The ministry has cited indiscipline for striking down his name from the list of coaches’ recommend by the committee.
In 2015, Teja was the chief coach of the Indian Universities archery team for the World University Games in South Korea. The team missed the bronze medal match due to change in timing, of which none of the archery contingent members were aware.
The Association of Indian Universities had slapped a three-year ban on him which was later reduced to one-and-half-year. The AAI had also imposed a oneyear ban on him. “If there is a case of indiscipline then why was I appointed head coach of the compound team for the Asian Games. The ministry had approved the contingent,” asked Jiwanjot.
On the World University Games episode, he said, “The AIU reduced the ban to one-and-a- half years after they found I was not at fault. It was the mistake of the chef de mission as he didn’t inform us about the change in timings. Unfortunately, our team missed the bronze-medal match.”
CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: