Gill laments decline of sports in Punjab
By IANSFriday, October 23, 2009
CHANDIGARH - Were drugs, alcohol and TV killing sports in Punjab? Sports Minister M.S. Gill lamented Friday that Punjab, which produced many record-breaking and illustrious sportspersons in the past, no longer enjoyed the same reputation.
Gill expressed his anguish over the declining standard of sports in Punjab that was once considered a land of unexceptional talent.
“Punjab had a great name in the field of sports as it produced legendary sportsman like Milkha Singh, whom we remember till date. But I feel it is not the same anymore, said Gill while addressing a gathering at Panjab University (PU).
“It could be due to drugs, drinking, too much of TV or anything. It is a reality that Punjab is no longer in forefront in sports.”
Gill was here to lay the foundation stone of indoor shooting range in the PU campus here in Sector 14.
Talking about sports in general, Gill stated: “When last year I took the charge then I felt very sad on finding different category system. Our real sports like football, hockey and volleyball were in B category and there was not much funding for them.”
“On the other hand, sports that came from foreign countries were enjoying all the incentives,” he said.
Gill, who himself is an alumnus of PU, also made reference to this varsity’s dismal performance in sports in recent years.
