8 out of 11 Bathinda MLAs make it to guest of honour list

GURDASPUR: In an apparent setback to sportspersons of the region, organisers of the World Kabaddi Cup, have decided to confer the status of 'guests of honour' on political figures. Eight out of a total of 11 MLAs of this parliamentary constituency will be the guest of honour during the matches. Three matches would be played on November 3.
"Our system is such that officials would be in a bind if they do not invite these politicians as chief guests," said international gymnast Samita Sharma, who wore the India colours in the 1998 Saarc championship held in Allahabad.
A senior officer claimed, "We wanted to invite some international sportspersons like hockey Olympian Prabhjot Singh, who is from this region. However, I admit that due to political exigencies we could not accord him and some others the honour of being (invited as) guests."
Interestingly, the name of Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa does not figure in the invitation list. Last year, too, the MP had not been invited and the then vice-chairman of the organising committee, Sikander Singh Maluka, had to issue a clarification.