Broken promises upset former champions

KOCHI: When we won the gold medal during the State Athletic School Championship in the past,  we were on channels. The government promised us jobs and scholarships. We were looked upon as promising stars who would make India proud. At the end, we did make India proud but we were neglected by those who promised us recognition,” said Jiby Peter, a former state level champion, who has come to the ongoing sports championship meet in Kochi to meet Minister K Babu on Thursday.Jiby is one of the 12 athletes, who in 2005,  qualified for a government job through the sports quota but are yet to get their promised jobs. “Through demonstrations and many recommendations to the concerned authorities, we were shortlisted this year, but till now there has been no response.” These athletes who come from different places like Idukki, Kannur, Kasargod, Kottayam and Trivandrum, are all victims of a state that has failed to keep its promise. “We gave them our sweat and our blood. We were revered as heroes of the soil we were born on, but then, they failed us,” said Mohammed Nasser, an athlete. Some of them were offered jobs from the Central government, but they had refused hoping to serve the state and be with their families. A state record holder in 100-metre race Freji Jose said, “I was offered a job in the army but I gave it up hoping a call from the state government. In 2006, we were qualified for the job but nothing happened in the past six years.”“We brought our problems to the notice of the previous government. However, it fell on deaf ears,” a broken Freji said. “By the time I got into the Sports Authority of India centre in Kollam, I was completely worn out and torn from the number of days of heavy coaching. I got a house on rent for Rs 3500 per month, however, my monthly expenses went up to Rs 6000 as I had to spend money on Ayurvedic medicines to revive my body. The school, I went for training, refused to train me anymore due to my weak condition. However, I refused to give up and approached my coach who coached me at the school. He promised to help me without any financial burden. Just like me, there are students who have reached levels because the coaches have been faithful to us,” Freji added.