Swapna Barman refuses to comment on cash award, urges government for house in Kolkata
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Heptathlete Swapna Barman refused to comment on West Bengal government's decision of awarding her Rs 10 lakh and a job in the Bengal state government for her win at the Asian Games. She rather urged the government that she wanted a house near her training base at Sports Authority of India complex.
Barman clinched the gold medal in women's heptathlon at the recently concluded Asiad in Indonesia with a total score of 6026 in seven events. The state government announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the heptathlete and also rewarded her with a government job a day after she bagged India's first medal in the event medal in Asiad history. Many criticised the amount decided by the government and termed as too low considering that other state government announcing huge cash rewards to successful athletes. Barman, however, decided not to comment on the amount when reporters asked about the same during a felicitation function in Kolkata.
"I have no comments. I have heard that the government has promised jobs to me and my brother. I have got a lot of offers and I am yet to decide," Barman told reporters, reported PTI.
"My only wish is to have a permanent residence near the SAI complex (in Salt Lake). I stay at the SAI complex now but if my performance is not there, I won't have a place to stay. So it would be hugely beneficial if the government could help me get a house."
She also talked about her journey in athletics and mentioned the incident in 2015 when she left home for three months.Â
"Sir (Subhash Sarkar) called me several times and urged me to come back to Jalpaiguri. I am very short-tempered. I had almost given up but I returned only
Meanwhile, Barman's coach Subhash Sarkar has informed that she will undergo a series of medical tests and if required there might be a surgery done on her problematic lower back.
“Last time, I did not take the risk of surgery because of the Asian Games but now we will see what is her condition. She may have to go for a surgery we will see what the
"She can collapse if she competes now. I have not kept any major competition for her in 2019. I will not make her compete
