Hundreds of sportspersons from different corners of Chhattisgarh turned up at the office of Chhattisgarh Olympic Association (CGOA) on Wednesday to urge the office-bearers of the apex sports body of State for justice. The sportspersons informed CGOA Secretary General Gurucharan Singh Hora and other office-bearers that it will be harassment with the sportspersons, if silver and bronze medalists are not included in category of Excellent Sportspersons.

 

“We are scared after media reports that silver and bronze medalists will not be eligible for excellent sportspersons which is the basis for claiming government jobs under sports quota,” they informed Hora who was at the CGOA office to chair the executive body meeting of the association. They also submitted a memorandum to Hora. In response, Hora assured the sportspersons that he was part of the committee that decides the criteria for excellent sportspersons. He told the sportspersons that injustice will not be done with eligible players. Hora, however, made it clear that sports recognised by India Olympic Association and Chhattisgarh Government will be considered.

 

He specially mentioned about softball game which is not a recognised sports but all the 13 members of the team were given the status of excellent sportspersons. Also present on the occasion were CGOA Vice-President G S Bhambra, CEO Bashir Ahmed Khan, Vice-President Sharad Shukla and others. Later, this issue was also discussed in the Executive Committee Meeting of CGOA. All the office bearers agreed with the concern of sportspersons. It was decided in the meeting to do the best possible things for sportspersons. Hora assured the office bearers that he would write to State Government on the matter.

 

Talking to media, Hora said that he was present in the meeting of Sports Department Committee and there was no such proposal in it. “Still I will try my best to protect the interest of the players. However, it is upto the state government to take final decision,” he told the media. The sportspersons demanded from the CGOA secretary general to try to declare all the members of a team as excellent sportspersons in the team games if case the team wins medals. It is injustice to give the status to 2-3 players.