Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 12

A grand reception to honour bronze medal-winning hockey Olympians from Mithapur village last night was paid for by players’ families themselves!

No instructions to host them

We didn’t receive instructions from the government to host a party or event yesterday, as the CM is already honouring them today. — Ghanshyam Thori, DC

As per information, the players’ families spent around Rs 6 lakh for the event at a private palace to which all key officials of the district administration and police were invited.

The administration said it had no instructions from the government to host a party for players. Jalandhar had sent four players to the Indian team, three — Manpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Mandeep Singh — from Mitahpur alone.

While Cantt MLA Pargat Singh committed to pay for the venue, the three families pooled in Rs 5.70 lakh for catering and other services at the event. The fourth player — Hardik Singh from Khusropur village — and his family were not part of the event.

At the grand welcome of players at Mithapur village yesterday, Pargat was the only district MLA present to receive the team from Amritsar. None of the Jalandhar MLAs or members of the district administration was there to receive them at the village. In the evening, the DC, CP, SSP and other officials attended the party as invitees.

Mandeep’s brother Harminder Singh said: “We had planned a party for the three. The event was earlier planned at a local park but factoring in the size of the gathering, the venue was changed. The party was planned a long ago. We are satisfied with what the government is doing for the team and boys.”

Manpreet mother Manjit Kaur said: “The three families had decided to throw a bash for the boys. We were asked to change the venue due to inclement weather. We pooled in to host the party. We don’t know who is paying for the venue, but the catering and other services were paid for by us. We did it out of happiness.”

Pargat, meanwhile, said: I will bear the cost of the venue.”

DC Ghanshyam Thori said: “The SDM-II and District Sports Officer received the players on the way while they were returning home. I had gone to the party yesterday on invitation from the Cantt MLA. When players get free from their hectic schedule, we (administration) plan a dinner for them.”