Jharkhand throw-ball player Amardeep has won international gold medals for the country, but despite his achievements, he sells vegetables and drives a cab to support himself and his family. The 29-year-old throw-ball star from Jharkhand has won four gold medals for India at international events. However, he has not been able to secure a government job because of the state’s sports policy. To make ends meet and support his family, Amardeep now sells vegetables at Argora Chowk in Ranchi. He also drives a cab to earn additional income.
Speaking to Aaj Tak over the phone, Amardeep said several of his teammates from Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Bihar have secured government jobs. He added that a Haryana player who played alongside him and also served as his captain has received various benefits from the state government. However, Amardeep’s applications for a cash award and government employment have remained pending.
Amardeep said he has repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities. He had also met former Jharkhand Sports Minister Hafizul Hasan, but his efforts did not yield any results.
Amardeep said his family consists of his mother, father and elder brother. His father sells vegetables, and Amardeep helps him with the business. His mother is a homemaker but 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 said he has been approaching the government for an incentive or reward since 2016, but has yet to receive any assistance.
He has also had to borrow money to participate in international tournaments, although the Jharkhand Throwball Association has supported him along the way.
For his trip to Malaysia, Amardeep told Aaj Tak that he had to borrow Rs 65,000. His family and the throwball association helped him raise the money, with the Jharkhand Throwball Association covering around half of the total expense.
He has been trying to secure a government job since 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those efforts. He resumed his attempts in 2022 and has continued pursuing employment ever since.
Amardeep described his life as one of constant hard work and struggle. He said driving late into the night often makes it difficult to attend training the following morning, but he continues to balance his work and sporting career and has no intention of giving up.
He is also expected to travel to Sri Lanka in late October 2026 to participate in a tournament.
Amardeep won his first international gold medal at the Asian Junior Throw-ball Championship in Malaysia in 2015. He subsequently won the Indo-Nepal Throw-ball Championship in Kathmandu in 2017, the South Asian Throw-ball Championship in Bengaluru in 2019, and the second edition of the same championship in Ranchi in 2026.
The issue has now drawn the attention of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who posted about the matter on his X account and directed the sports department to take immediate cognisance of the case and initiate appropriate action.
Following the Chief Minister’s post, state Sports Minister Sudivya Sonu told Aaj Tak over the phone that the government is examining how Amardeep could be provided employment under the existing sports policy. He added that authorities are also considering other possible employment opportunities for the athlete.
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