Discrimination against diligent sportspersons is perhaps the norm in Jharkhand.

Ace archer Jhanu Hansda had to literally cry ethnic intolerance against her employers - the Jharkhand Police - at a function in Ranchi on Saturday to spur DGP D.K. Pandey to organise a special felicitation on Monday for medal-winners of the recently concluded world police games in Fairfax County, Virginia, and announce the sub-inspector's long-due promotion.

The DGP's promptness is welcome, but why do Jharkhand players have to resort to public outbursts every time? Hansda's case isn't a stray example. There exist myriad instances when policy-makers and powers-that-be have exhibited sustained apathy towards sportspersons.

A.S.R.P. MUKESH speaks to some achievers to highlight the kind of humiliation players encounter in the run-up to events and why there is a need for attitudinal change among babus

Sujata Bhakat

Inspector, Special Branch, and winner of gold and silver in world police games

I don't think discrimination is a question of tribal and non-tribal in Jharkhand. I am a non-tribal, but have been subjected to constant humiliation by government officials.

Before the recent meet (in the US), I had to give in writing to the government (home department) that I will not claim any money even if I win a medal. Is this how an international sportsperson should be treated? Does any country exercise such bias against its own players?

I had to run from pillar to post for over a month to get an NOC from the home department to apply for visa and participate in the games.

A very senior IAS officer, who I shall not name, criticised me for disturbing them. Whatever happened to respect for sportspersons in this state that has spawned many a legend

Bela Ghosh

Constable and winner of gold and silver at the US meet. She broke a 2013 world record by lifting 80kg in the 60kg benchpress event

The run-up to glory was not all that rosy though. I participated in the event with my own money. I had to give in writing that I will not demand anything from the government.

In other states, if you win an international medal, the government recognises your achievement with cash prizes. In Jharkhand, things are different. At a time when the state is talking of a sports varsity, its mandarins need to change their mindset first.

Following the DGP's announcement, I am hoping for a promotion too, but cannot help wondering why this state doesn't do enough to promote its players

Vindhyavasini Kumar

Inspector who had won gold in the first women's Kabaddi World Cup held in Patna on March 4, 2012

I had to stage serial hunger strikes to get the attention of the Bokaro district administration and the chief minister. Everyone knows my struggle for a government job.

But then, a player is meant to play, not protest. The day our ministers and policy-makers realise this, deserving sportspersons won't have to do what Vindhyavasini or Jhanu did. We are not proud of what we did. We feel sorry for the government, which has double standard towards non-cricket sports.

The sooner this mindset changes, the sooner we will grow as a state.

Share the harassment tale of other deserving players with us at ttkhand@abpmail.com