 Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 10: Chain Singh, 27, must be cursing his luck for having born in Jammu region. Had he belonged to Kashmir Valley, separatists, mainstream politicians, journalists and activists would have written praises for him. No one knows him here despite being JK's first sportsperson to represent India at World Olympics this year.
Hailing from Doda, Chain, son of a farmer, represented India in World Olympics held in Brazil this year in sharp shooting. He happens to be the first person in JK's history to take part in World Olympics. However, neither the Sports Council, nor the government knows about him.
It is surprising that this star who has participated in 22 shooting World Cups till date hasn't got a single recognition from the state government.
Chain has won 10 international gold medals, and a silver and 3 bronze medals. On the national level, he has so far won 32 gold medals, 6 silver and 9 bronze.
He got selected as a soldier in 2007, and in December 2008 he for the first time took part in sharp shooting that was held in Kerala, where he won a gold medal in junior category. He was just 19 at that time. Later, he got selected in junior Indian shooting team and played first international junior shooting world cup that was held in Germany in 2009. He stood 8th in the entire tournament.
In December 2009, he took part in Asian shooting championship in Kuwait. Chain secured a bronze. In 2010, he took part in junior shooting World Cup that was held in Czech Republic. He secured 13th world rank.
In 2009 again, he won three individual gold medals and two in team gold medals and one team medal.
Chain Singh's remarkable performance paved his entry into the seniors team, as in 2012 he played for the first time in senior category. He represented India in the Shooting World Cup held in USA. He got 22nd position. In the same year, he played for India in Korea World Cup and became world's 6th best shooter.
In Oct 2014, Singh took part in Asian Games, representing India in the tournament held in Korea. He won bronze medal for the country. A month later, he won gold medal in Asian shooting championship held in Kuwait.
This year in February, in South Asian Games held in Guwahati, Singh won six gold medals in a row besides earning the title of 'best sportsperson of the game'.
Disgruntled over the way the government is treating sports persons here, Singh says the dispensation isn't paying "even two per cent attention" towards the sports persons.
"Outside, JK, mere participation in Olympics would make you earn more than Rs 1 crore from the government. Here in JK, leave alone giving me any money, the government doesn't even know who I am," Singh said. |
