Renowned Rajasthan athletes hail Neeraj’s gold in Tokyo 2020

JAIPUR: Rajasthan-based athletes, who had earned name, fame and glory in various events nationally and internationally, were elated to see Neeraj Chopra clinch the elusive gold medal in athletics for the first time in Olympics.
While congratulating Chopra, most of the players said his achievement will certainly boost the morale of aspiring athletes and urged the government and corporates to do their best for improving facilities and infrastructure.
TOI on Saturday spoke to the athletes who represented the country in various track and field events.
“It is a proud moments for every Indian. I believe the way cricket got popular and became a household game after Kapil Dev’s team won the world cup, we would see many Neeraj Chopras in future. It will also encourage more parents to further their children in the field of athletics,” said Devendra Jhajharia, from Churu in Rajasthan, and had won two gold medals in javelin throw in the 2004 and 2016 summer paralympics.
He added that for any sports, support of the government, corporates and fellow sportsmen is important. “Since we have the first-ever gold in athletics, I hope the government will make a result oriented strategy to improve facilities and infrastructure in India,” Jhajharia added.
On the other hand, Arjuna Awardee Rajkumar Ahlawat, who had won name and fame in athletics and is presently working as a sports officer with North Western Railway (NWR) said, “I must congratulate Neeraj Chopra as he has given us a ray of hope in athletics. In the next Olympics we will bag more medals in athletics especially in javelin and discus throws,” Ahlawat added.
Paramjeet Choudhary, who represented India in 4x400 metre relay race in 2000 and had won gold in Asian junior athletics championships said, “For events like 100 metre race and other similar events, we are far behind the European countries. But I must say that in track and field events like javelin and discus throws, we are surely going to dominate the world,” Paramjeet added.