Innovative 'Shagun Scheme' Launched to Support Young Athletes

Introduction of the Shagun Scheme

In an effort to alleviate the financial challenges faced by young athletes and their families, Sarabjit Singh Happy, a coach from the Sports Department, has introduced the 'Shagun Scheme.' This initiative, supported by 35 current and former athletes he has trained, aims to assist talented individuals competing at the national level.

Financial Assistance for Athletes

The scheme is designed to provide financial aid to deserving athletes who often find it difficult to manage the costs of travel, accommodation, and entry fees for major competitions. Sarabjit Singh Happy emphasized, "Many athletes must pay for their own travel and competition costs, which can be a heavy burden for their families."

Creating a Supportive Community

The initiative encourages contributions from coaches, athletes, former trainees, and other supporters to establish a shared fund that will help athletes participate in significant competitions without financial worries. Happy noted, "With the rise in the number of tournaments, we have pinpointed three major events: inter-state championships, Open National Championships, and Junior National Championships, where players can compete without the stress of financial arrangements."

Successful Fundraising Efforts

The scheme has already garnered positive feedback, with one of Happy's former athletes donating Rs 13,000 to the fund. Recently, the group successfully raised Rs 50,000 to assist five athletes—Harjit Singh, Maya, Jashan, Kulbir Ram, and Ritika—who will represent their state at the upcoming 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

Utilization of Funds

While the travel tickets for Harjit Singh and Maya were previously sponsored by generous donors, the Rs 50,000 raised will cover the travel expenses, accommodation, meals, local transport, and other related costs for the remaining athletes.

Sustaining the Initiative

To maintain the fund, each athlete will contribute Rs 200, while interested coaches will donate Rs 500 before each tournament. Sarabjit Singh Happy expressed optimism that more individuals would step up to support sports development, stating, "The community here is very generous, and I hope the spirit of giving will flourish in sports, enabling talented youth to realize their aspirations."

Athletes' Appreciation

National-level athletes Maya and Harjit Singh conveyed their heartfelt thanks to their coach for his commitment to supporting players like them.