Int’l medallist coaches from Punjab unrewarded

PATIALA: Dronacharya awardee Sukhdev Singh Pannu, who coached athlete Arpinder Singh to win a gold medal for the country in triple jump at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games has been forgotten since. The coach has not even been paid money due to him as reward, under the Punjab government’s policy.

According to the sports policy of state, coaches, whose wards win international medals are entitled to get 40% of reward money that is given to players. Pannu, however, has received not even a single penny. Players were given the money two years ago.

Besides Sukhdev, five other coaches yet to get the money are Mohinder Singh Dhillon, a Dronacharya awardee; Arjuna awardee Rajinder Singh Rahelu; Harminder Pal Singh Ghuman, Suresh Kumar, alias Happy, and Jaspal Singh. These coaches have been running pillar to post to get the reward, as per policy. The government has to pay Rs 40 lakh to Mohinder Singh Dhillon, Rs 50 lakh to Sukhdev Singh Pannu, Rs 20 lakh each to Rajinder Singh Rahelu, Harminder Pal Ghuman, Suresh Kumar and Rs 10 lakh to Jaspal Singh.

Under the guidance of Dhillon, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, won a gold medal in shotput. Rajinder Singh Rahelu coached Parmjeet Kumar to a bronze in power- lifting at Para- Asian games of Jakarta; Suresh Kumar was coach of Raj Kumar, who won bronze in badminton.

Punjab sports department director DPS Kharbanda said the department was aware of the issue.

He added, “There are few coaches, who are yet to receive their dues. The minister has issued an order to pay dues of all. We have invited applications and all dues will be cleared within a month.”