Finally, struggling shot putter Inderjeet Singh gets a job

NEW DELHI: After a long wait, shot putter Inderjeet Singh has finally landed a job. The athlete has joined Indian Oil at its Northern Regional Office in the Capital in the officer cadre. Asian champion Inderjeet, who comes from a modest background, had been appealing for support ever since arriving on the international scene with a bronze medal in the 2014 Incheon Asiad.

"It was a major worry for the last three years. Today I am very happy and thank Indian Oil for giving me the job. I am happy that my effort on the field has finally got noticed," Inderjeet told TOI on Wednesday. "The burden is off my shoulder. Now I can earn my living while concentrating fully on my game."

TOI was the first to report on the struggle of the athlete, who has bagged as many as seven gold medals at the international level this year alone.

The long wait for a job, despite impressive performances on the field, had made the shot putter bitter. And he has not forgotten his struggle over the years. "It's good for me that I got it. But there are several others like me who are not getting a chance. There are no sponsors for several talented and deserving athletes who are leaving the sport because of lack of support. I wish more corporate houses came forward to help them with jobs."

Inderjeet said that even during the days of hardship he never thought of quitting the sport.

"Even if I had not got this job, I would have sold my land in the village to prepare myself to represent India in the Olympics in Rio. Now that I am employed, I can concentrate on winning a medal for the country there."

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