'Govt didn't value its athlete,' wife of Hakam Singh who passed away today
Athlete Hakam Singh, 64, passed away on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness Hakam Singh Bhattal (64), an Asian Games gold medallist and the recipient of the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award passed away after prolonged illness here on Tuesday morning. He will be cremated at his native village Bhattal of Barnala at 3 pm. Also Read: Barnala Admn wakes up to the plight of Hakam Singh after issue raised by PTC News Shattered by the administration's negligence, his wife says, 'We're poor people, govt should at least help those who get laurels for the nation. Govt does not value athletes' Hakam Bhattal had received the attention and support by the Barnala Administration and the Punjab government after the issue was raised by PTC News in July last week. On July 31, the Barnala Administration had decided to help Hakam Singh and given a cheque to his family worth 20,000 rupees. Sports authority of India also gave 11,000 rupees to help Hakam Singh. Even as his family struggles to get him much-needed medical treatment, they have hit a wall of official apathy in getting any kind of help from the government for this. Speaking to reports, his wife had earlier said that the government does not care for its athletes, they only care as long as they receive medals. “How will people be encouraged to take up sports if no one even comes to check on an athlete who has won two gold medals for the country? We are not wealthy and do not have any land. It is difficult to get good medical care,” said Bhattal’s wife a month ago when Hakam Singh was suffering and seeking help from the government. Hakam also served the nation as havildar in the 6 Sikh Regiment after joining the Army in 1972. Today his family is unable to get Hakam treated at a multi-speciality hospital. Bhattal is also the native village of former Punjab chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. -PTC News
