The Jharkhand government has given financial assistance to meritorious sportsperson, majority of them archers, plagued with monetary problems under sports welfare fund.
Chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday gave away financial assistance to two players who were present at the programme held to mark first anniversary of the JMM-led UPA government in Jharkhand at Morabadi ground in Ranchi while five others would receive the amount in their bank’s account.
The players who received the cash physically from the chief minister included national level archer Jagarnath Gagrai from West Singhbhum district and karate champion Bimla Munda (Kanke Ranchi).
While Jagarnath, a double gold medallist at Cuttack Senior National Archery championship, was not able to purchase the expensive recurve archery kits and had to practice with traditional Indian archery kits was given Rs 2.5 lakh, Bimla Munda a gold medallist in national karate championship 2019 was not able to pursue his career in sports due to financial constraints was given an amount of Rs 1 lakh.
The other beneficiaries of the Rs 2.5 lakh fund included Krishna Pingua, Asmita Biruly and Gunaram Purty, all national level players who are unable to compete in international competitions owing to fund crunch.
“It is a morale booster for us as we can now compete in international level with modern equipment. One day we will bring home medals from the Olympics,” said Krishna Pingua, who won bronze at the Khelo India Archery Championship in 2017 and gold at the 64th National School Championship Archery Championship in 2019.
The government also announced assistance of Rs 2.7 lakh to 18-year-old Komolika Bari, who won a gold medal in the World Youth Archery Championship, 2018.
She has also been selected for the next Olympic games and is currently training in Pune, Maharashtra. Her father Ghanshyam Bari, who came to Morabadi Ground to take the cheque, said her daughter could get a bow only with help from the locals, hoped that his daughter would also get a job.
Hockey coach, Pratibha Barwa also got a financial grant of Rs 1.5 lakh.
