RANCHI, INDIA: Indian throwball player Amardeep Kumar, a four-time international gold medalist, is reportedly driving a taxi and selling vegetables to support his family despite his achievements in the sport.
The 29-year-old athlete from Jharkhand said he has repeatedly sought financial assistance and a government job but has yet to receive a positive response. He also said he has had to borrow money to participate in tournaments and repay those debts through his work.
From International Gold to Daily Struggle
Amardeep began playing sports at the age of 13 and later established himself in throwball. He won his first international gold medal at the Asian Junior Throwball Championship in Malaysia in 2015.
He subsequently won gold medals at South Asian championships held in Kathmandu in 2017, Bengaluru in 2019 and Ranchi in 2026, according to the report.
Despite these achievements, Amardeep says he has not received the government employment or financial support he had sought.
Supporting His Family Through Taxi Driving
Amardeep said he currently drives a taxi around Argora Chowk in Ranchi while also helping his father with his vegetable business.
He said he has borrowed money several times to cover expenses related to tournament participation and has used income from taxi driving and vegetable sales to repay the loans.
According to Amardeep, several athletes from other Indian states have received government jobs and incentives following their sporting achievements, while his own requests remain pending.