Chandigarh, October 28
Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO congratulated Raj Kumar, a Junior Sports Officer at Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for bringing honor not only to his organization but also to the country and the state by clinching a silver medal in the Men’s Double Badminton event at the 4th Para Asian Games, which concluded in Hangzhou, China. Raj Kumar and his partner, Chirag Baretha, an ITO from Uttarakhand, exhibited their exceptional skills throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling performance in the semi-finals.
Extending his heartfelt congratulations to the para shuttler for his outstanding achievement, the Power Minister said that Raj Kumar’s performance serves as a testament to the sporting talent present in the state and reflects the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting sports and fitness activities not only among youngsters but also among the workforce.
The Minister shared that Kumar initially joined PSPCL as a Bill Distributor under the Sports quota in 2011. Since then, he has consistently excelled in the sport of para-badminton. In 2014, he made the nation proud by winning a silver medal in the Asian Games, and he continued to shine by clinching a gold medal at the Para Badminton World Championship in 2015. His remarkable achievements led to the prestigious Arjuna Award being conferred upon him in 2018.
“The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government recognized Raj Kumar’s contributions to the field of para-badminton. In acknowledgment of his achievements and dedication, he was promoted to the position of Junior Sports Officer within the PSPCL, allowing him to continue his journey in promoting sports and mentoring the next generation of athletes,” he said.
While applauding Raj Kumar for the victory, Chairman cum Managing Director (PSPCL) Er. Baldev Singh Sran and Director Admin (PSPCL) Jasbir Singh Sur Singh said that Kumar’s achievement will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and demonstrate the importance of nurturing and supporting sporting talent at all levels.
Er. Tej Pal Bansal, Deputy Chief Engineer/ Technical cum in-charge of sports cell of PSPCL shared that the Indian duo faced a tough challenge from a Vietnam pair but emerged victorious after an intense three-set match, with a final score of 16-21, 21-17, 21-15. In the final showdown, Raj Kumar and Chirag Baretha played against their Indonesian opponents but despite their best efforts, the Indian pair narrowly missed the gold medal, settling for a well-deserved silver after a closely contested match that ended 1-2 in favor of Indonesia.
