Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday urged the centre and the state Governments to fully acknowledge and honour the contribution of each and every player, in addition to the medal winners, who represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics.
In a statement here, Badal said that the governments must not make the mistake of playing to the gallery and hogging limelight by simply focusing on the medal winners alone. "Our medal winners fully deserve all the credit and praise being showered upon them by governments and other countrymen. But in our enthusiasm to fete champions, we must not overlook or be indifferent to the contribution of players who fought bravely.Many of them missed winning medals narrowly but their display was as brilliant and brave as anyone else in the world. We must salute our medal winners but so must we stand up to acknowledge the other bravehearts who fought to bring laurels to the country," he said.
Badal said that our hockey girls played like true world champions and with some luck would have won a medal, possibly even Gold. They stunned the most feared team in the Olympics, Australia, and all but won the semi final. It was as close as it can get to winning a medal. I am really proud of them, as I am of our hockey boys too. I see them as our Golden girls and Golden boys," said Badal.
Emphasizing the need for the countrymen to be sensitive to all participants and their families, the SAD president said that it is important for them to know and feel that the country is solidly behind them and fully appreciates the fight they put up. "I believe our entire contingent deserves accolades. I congratulate all of them . All of you are our heroes." said Badal.