Haryana CM M L Khattar reacts to his government's notification asking its sportspersons to deposit one third of their earning from professional sports and endorsements to the Haryana Sports council for "development of sports" in the state. Khattar told ANI, "I have asked for the relevant file of the Sports Dept to be shown to me and the notification to be put on hold till further orders. We are proud of the immense contribution by our sports persons and  I assure them of a just consideration of all issues."


Athletes employed with the state government include star boxers Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar, both of whom are DSPs in state police, hockey captain Sardar Singh and wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat. Sardar, Geeta and Babita are also employed with the Haryana Police.


Of them, Babita, who won a silver at the Gold Coast CWG, reacted to the move, calling it disheartening. "This notification will hamper an athletes preparation. How can the government give such an order? We pay taxes over whatever we earn and now this notification to pay one-third," Phogat told PTI.


Image: Haryana CM ML Khattar with Gita Phogat.