Rajasthan police an emerging sporting powerhouse

The Rajasthan police has emerged as a sports powerhouse in less than three years. A change in sports policy coupled with hard work and training have improved performance of players who have brought 90 medals in two years.

The new policy has been able to attract sporting talent from other organisations and states. Those instrumental in this positive change are former DGPs Omendra Bhardwaj and Manoj Bhatt who paid attention to facilities while ADG (RAC) Rajiv Dasot and DGP O P Galhotra have taken keen interest in training and motivation. Addl. SP Ram Singh and half a dozen coaches have been spending hours to spot talent and prepare them for best performance in tournaments.

The most talked about player Sapna Choudhary is part of Rajasthan police for the last eight years. She joined as constable but due to her sporting excellence has reached to sub-inspector level. She has won many medals and participated in Rio Olympics but failed to perform as per expectations. Yet, she has not given up and preparing for Olympic medal.

Head constable Suman Kumari and Pooja Yadav have emerged as medal hopes in wrestling. Coming from a modest background, Suman Kumari from a small village in Sikar has won bronze in 48kg at the 66th All India Police Games. Pooja too comes from same family background and won bronze in the same weight category at 65th All India Police Games in 2016. They have been inspired by Geeta and Babita Phogat.

Then there are players who are bringing laurels in non-conventional sports. Sub-inspector Mukesh Choudhary and Vishwajeet S Wal have won medals in Wushu. Choudhary won three gold, two silver and two bronze between 2012 and 2016 while Vishwajeet got four gold and two bronze.

The change in the sports policy has enabled more players to join the force. This year state police has earmarked 34 posts for sports quota. This is why players from other states have been joining the force. One of them is Meenu who is a promising athlete and medal hope. Majority of players come from a modest background. One such player is Maduram who belongs to a family of herders. Yet, Maduram overcame odds and joined the police force as constable. The long distance runner has now become head constable and runs 30km daily to win medal. After former Olympian Krishna Punia who gave new identity to discus throw; now sub-inspector Vikas Punia has taken over the baton. He quit railways to join Rajasthan police and working hard to win medal.

Even after becoming DGP, OP Galhotra regularly takes feedback about players. He expressed hope that Rajasthan Police will bring laurels in different sports in future and players would receive whatever assistance they need.

Game changers

• Those instrumental in this positive change are former DGPs Omendra Bhardwaj and Manoj Bhatt who paid attention to facilities  while ADG (RAC) Rajiv Dasot and DGP OP Galhotra have taken keen interest in training and motivation.