After the controversy triggered by Olympic-medallist boxer Vijender Singh’s decision to turn professional, the Haryana Government on Saturday said it is contemplating making it mandatory for a sportsman, who gets Government employment, to play for the nation for at least six years.
“Making mandatory for sportsmen, who get jobs under sports quota, to play for minimum of six years is being considered in Haryana,” Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij twitted on Saturday.
This assumes significance as Vijender had decided to turn professional thus ruling himself out of next year’s Rio Olympics. Vijender, who is the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, is now tying up with UK-based Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports and Entertainment.
He was appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) by the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government in Haryana for his outstanding record in boxing at the national and international levels.
After Haryana Police warned of action for not seeking permission from the State Government for turning professional, the country’s most celebrated boxer from Bhiwani had even met Chief Minister Manohar lal in Chandigarh on July 2.
Earlier, Haryana Police had pointed out that Vijender, being a Government servant, could not accept other employment. Haryana Police had even said that Vijender could be discharged from services if he failed to get permission from the Government.