Four-Time India Gold Medallist Amardeep Drives Cab, Sells Vegetables For Family
Jharkhand Throwball Player Awaits Government Job And Cash Award Despite Four International Gold Medals
Ranchi: Four-time international gold medallist throwball player Amardeep Kumar is driving a cab and helping his family sell vegetables to make ends meet, even as he waits for financial assistance and a government job from Jharkhand.
The 29-year-old athlete, who has represented India and won four international gold medals, said he has repeatedly approached the authorities seeking recognition and support but is yet to receive a response.
Amardeep began his sporting journey at the age of 13 after a local player noticed his interest in sports during a summer vacation and offered to train him for free at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. He soon took up throwball and progressed through the ranks while helping his father with the family vegetable business after school.
His first international gold came at the Asian Junior Throwball Championship in Malaysia in 2015. He later won gold at the Indo-Nepal Throwball Championship in Kathmandu in 2017, the South Asian Throwball Championship in Bengaluru in 2019 and the second edition of the South Asian Throwball Championship in Ranchi in 2026.
Despite his achievements, Amardeep said his sporting career has not brought financial stability. He claimed he often had to take loans to participate in tournaments and repay them by driving a cab and selling vegetables while also supporting his family.
“I often took loans to participate in tournaments. I repaid them by selling vegetables and driving a cab while supporting my family,” Amardeep said.
Amardeep said several of his teammates from states including Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Bihar have secured government jobs and received other benefits for their sporting achievements. He said a Haryana player who played alongside him and also served as his captain had received various benefits from the state government.
However, his own applications seeking a cash award and government employment have remained pending, he said.
Amardeep said he had repeatedly raised the matter with authorities and also met former Jharkhand Sports Minister Hafizul Hasan, but his efforts have so far yielded no result.
For now, Amardeep continues to drive his cab during the day and help his family sell vegetables at Argora Chowk in Ranchi.
His family includes his parents and elder brother. His father sells vegetables, while his mother, a homemaker, also sells vegetables door-to-door, carrying around 35 kg of produce on her head. His elder brother runs a fast-food stall to contribute to the family's income.
Amardeep's story has highlighted the difficult circumstances faced by athletes who win medals for the country but struggle to secure financial stability and institutional support after returning home.
