Chandigarh July 16:- It was dream come true for five women players of Indias’ National Team, selected to represent India in Women World Base Ball Championship to be held in Japan from August 24 to August 29, as Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Patron Youth Akali Dal handed over to them bank drafts of Rs 50,000 to each player totaling to 2.5 lacs to enable them to participate in the tournament.
Navdeep Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Kuljeet Kaur, Sukhjit Kaur and Daljit Kaur were thrilled when they were given the honor to represent India in Base Ball World Cup in 18 members squad selected after trials in the month of November last year. But their joy was short lived. They were informed by the members of Sports Council of India that Union Government would not be paying any money to enable them to participate in the World Cup and they would have to shell out Rs. 50,000 each from their own pocket to represent India. All girls from middle class background were shell shocked as collecting Rs. 50,000 was beyond their wild imagination. Their plight was highlighted by a section of media.
The case was brought to the notice of Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Patron Youth Akali Dal when he was in Ludhiana to inaugurate mass blood donation camp organized by Youth Akali Dal. Mr. Majithia promised to ensure safe passage of these players to Japan as Youth Akali Dal under the leadership of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal was committed to harness the full potential of Punjabi Youth and channelise their energy in a fruit full endevours. He said that though it was the responsibility of Union Sports Ministry to ensure passage of these players to Japan but keeping in view urgency in this case Youth Akali Dal decided to contribute Rs. 2.5 lac for this noble casue.
Within 24 hours the cadre of Youth Akali Dal led by S. Bikram Singh Majithia collected 2.5 lac and today girls joy knew no bounds as they were handed over Rs. 50,000 each by Mr. Majithia.
Speaking on this occasion Mr. Majithia said that it is the most touching moment in my life when I have been able to realize the dream of five budding players of my state. Mr. Majithia said that besides money, the Youth Akali Dal was sending them the good wishes of 2.5 crores Punjabis who want that a team represented by five Punjabi Players should bring laurels for the country.
Recounting their experience the players said that they could have never thought that cadres of a political party would come forward to enable them to participate in World Cup. All the five players belong to Guru Nanak Khalsa College for women Ludhiana and have represented country in six school national, six open junior national, two senior national, two inter-college and one University tournament.
Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included S. Sharnajit Singh Dhillon MLA, Inderbir Singh Bularia MLA(Amritsar South), Harsakhinder Singh Bubby Badal, Simranjit Singh Bains president Youth Akali Dal Ludhiana, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Darshan Singh Shivalik, Balwinder Singh Fatehpur, Parminder Singh Soma, Jagbir Singh Sokhi, Kamaljit Singh (all councilors).