Priya Singh makes her way to a Junior World Cup but cannot afford to go. A daughter of a Dalit labour named Priya Singh who resides in Meerut has successfully made her way to ISSF Junior World Cup which will be held in Suhl, Germany from 22nd June. Priya Singh who stays in Mawana subdivision of Meerut has been shortlisted to represent India in the 50m rifle prone. Total six candidates have been shortlisted from India and Priya Singh is one of them.
But unfortunately, Priya Singh does not have much financial support from her family to support her career and chances are there that she might have to miss the championship. However, Government does provide financial assistance to the top three candidates but unfortunately, Priya is ranked fourth in the list of six who are shortlisted.
Priya’s father has tried all sort of efforts to get the financial assistance for his daughter. He approached chief minister Yogi Adityanath as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi but everything went in vain. Her father said, “I worked under a contract and earn Rs 10,000 a month. I use this amount to feed my family, including my four children. I also went to various moneylender but everyone is not willing to give me a loan.”
Priya Singh’s family is so poor that she didn’t have a rifle of her own. The equipment was provided by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) through which she won 17 medals between 2014 to 2017. She even won a gold medal in the All India National Shooting Championship in the year 2016 and 2017.
However, Rajiv Bhatia, Secretary of National Rifle Association of India said, “We fully support Priya and we are helping her out with the gun permit so that she is able to participate in the Suhl event. As far as financial support is concerned, our hands are tied. The government takes care of all expenses, including ammunition for the top three participants. The remaining ones have to take care of their travel and stay.”
Priya’s coach, Deepak Dubey said that the girl is very talented. If she had been given an opportunity, she can even make her country feel proud. But unfortunately, due to the lack of finance, her career is being jeopardized. With the help of Rifle Association, she has got her visa, what about the expenses of her stay and flight tickets?
Priya said, “I received a copy of the letter of invitation written by the German Shooting Federation to National Rifle Association of India on 22nd May. After that, I and my father have been constantly running here and there, approaching moneylenders for financial assistance. I even visited PMO and left an application.”
It is Priya’s misfortune that she secured the fourth spot. If she had been in the top three position, the government would have fully sponsored her.
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