For judoka’s Olympics dream, mother ready to pawn gold

GURDASPUR: Gurdaspur judoka Jasleen Saini was riding high on cloud nine after winning a gold medal in the World Police Games that concluded in Chengdu China on August 6

Updated At : 01:07 PM Aug 21, 2019 IST

Jasleen Saini is desperate for funds as the Judo Federation of India has refused to foot the bill for his participation in the World Championships.

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, August 20

Gurdaspur judoka Jasleen Saini was riding high on cloud nine after winning a gold medal in the World Police Games that concluded in Chengdu (China) on August 6. However, 48 hours later, his dreams of participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were shattered to smithereens after he learnt that the Judo Federation of India (JFI) had refused to foot the bill for his participation in the World Championships slated to be held in Tokyo from August 24 to 30.

The world meet assumes significance as it also acts as a qualifying event for the Olympics. If Saini takes part, he can add some valuable points to the 646 he has already accumulated from various international tournaments. He also stands a chance to improve upon his present world ranking of 75 in the under-66 weight category.

Saini is among the three trainees of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh JFI training centre in Gurdaspur who clinched gold medals in the police games. The others are Jobandeep Singh and Harmeet Singh. All three are trainees of coach Amarjit Shastri.

Despair and dejection set in the Saini household once Shastri broke the news of JFI’s decision. Saini works as a constable with Punjab Police at a salary of Rs 9700 per month, which is barely enough to take care of the dietary needs of an international sportsman like him. He is sure to be robbed of an opportunity to participate in the Tokyo Olympics if he is forced to skip the world meet.

Saini’s mother, Nisha, after vacillating for a few days, has now stepped in to ensure her son’s dream does not turn sour. Over the last 21 years, she had managed to buy a few ornaments from her husband’s savings. “A boy’s best friend is his mother,” said Nisha. “Yesterday, I went to the market and the local goldsmith told me I can get anything between Rs 1.50 lakh and 2 lakh. I think this might be enough for my son to become an Olympian. He is the anchor of my life and it is my duty to help him out of choppy waters,” she added.

However, the amount falls on the lower side as Shastri says the judoka may need Rs 3 lakh for the world meet.

With JFI making its decision as clear as daylight, the question uppermost on the minds of Saini’s centre colleagues is whether Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Sodhi or DGP Dinkar Gupta would be willing to extend a helping hand.