Sudha Singh not to run for UP anymore

Athelete Sudha Singh, who brought honours to India and Uttar Pradesh by bagging the Asiad Gold at Guangzhou, has decided not to run for her state anymore, thanks to state sports minister Ayodhya Prasad Pal.

The 3000m steeplechaser, who was invited as a chief guest in mini marathon organised by Mahavir Prasad Girls College, Lucknow on Saturday morning to attend the programme, but no one recognised her and she was meted out "bad treatment" by organisers.

"Enough was enough," Sudha told mediapersons at her home in Rae Bareli on Sunday.

"What is the point playing for a state where you are not even recognised by your own sports minister", she remarked, while referring to the function where the minister had asked the organizers, "who is Sudha Singh?".

The athlete said that she already has offers from states like Maharastra and MP. "I have offers from states like Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh to run for them. So I'd rather accept their offer than stay on here," she added.

Whle the organizers repeatedly ignored the gold medalist, it was the minister's remark that irked Sudha.

Even the sports director and other sports officials who were present on the occasion failed to make any effort to salvage the situation.

Not surprisingly Sudha walked off from the function.

While the minister was not available for comment, college principal claimed, "We are not responsible for the humiliation. As far as we are concerned, we took proper care of the athelete."

However, Sudha is in no mood to relent. "What has pained me that personalities like Mrs Sonia Gandhi have honoured me, but I have been treated like dirt in my own state," she observed.