Indian Hockey captain Sardar Singh today lauded the new sports policy unveiled by the state government on Monday and said the new policy would encourage sportspersons from the state to perform better at the national and international events.
Sardar Singh, who hails from Sirsa, was at Ellenabad today to inaugurate a private gym in the town. The Indian hockey skipper said giving awards or jobs was the prerogative of the state and the Central government and it was for them to decide how well they could promote sports through these awards.
He said a player should never play for an award, but concentrate on playing his or her natural game. He said the new sports policy would attract raw talent from the villages and improve Haryana’s prospects to win medals at national and international events.
Asked to comment on the recent controversy over the Padma awards, Sardar Singh said for him playing for India was the biggest reward. He, however, advocated Bharat Ratna award for legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand and said as the previous government had given this honour to Sachin Tendulkar, the present government should confer Bharat Ratna on Dhyan Chand.
Sardar Singh said Dhyan Chand played under the most unfavourable condition and got India a gold medal in Olympics.
On his wedding plans, Sardar Singh said one could marry anytime, but once the playing years of a sportsperson are gone, they would never return.