Windfall for World Cup-winning Kabaddi players

Ludhiana: The World Cup triumph has brought with it a financial windfall and lucrative job offers for India`s kabaddi players --both men and women.

The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government decided to give government jobs to the players of both the men`s women`s Indian Kabaddi teams. After India defeated UK in the women`s section in the inaugural edition of the women`s Kabaddi here last night, Punjab`s Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal requested Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to give jobs to the entire team. The Chief Minister readily agreed to the proposal and said the matter would be put up in the next cabinet meeting. Earlier, Indian women`s kabaddi team defeated United Kingdom winning the prize money of Rs 25 lakh. The performance of Indian eves was praiseworthy as they overcame the trauma of a two-day old road accident involving the team bus. Later, Sukhbir Badal again requested Badal Sr that jobs be given to those newcomers of Indian men`s team who had not been previously employed, the Chief Minister again readily agreed, stating that his government was committed to upliftment of the sports. Indian men`s team defeated Canada in the finals and took Rs two crore as prize money. "Kabaddi is our home game and this year`s Cup has been hugely popular and has drawn tremendous response from the people," he said. The Chief Minister said that he was also feeling happy to announce that he would hand over the letter of appointment as Deputy Superintendent of Police to star hockey player Rajpal Singh on the occasion of his wedding to ace shooter Avneet. "Avneet has also been made DSP and like the couple our government has honoured a number of sportspersons with cash rewards and jobs," he added. PTI