Jharkhand Athlete Selling Vegetables After 4 Gold Medals Prompts Chief Minister's Response

Jharkhand athlete Amardeep Kumar, a four-time international gold medalist in throwball, has gone viral for selling vegetables in Ranchi to support his family, prompting Chief Minister Hemant Soren to order immediate action from the sports department. The 29-year-old, who won golds at events including the 2015 Asian Junior Championship in Malaysia and the 2019 South Asian Championship, has struggled to secure government employment or financial incentives despite repeated applications since 2016. His medals hung at his vegetable stall sparked public outrage over inadequate institutional support for athletes. Soren directed the sports department to take cognisance of the case on September 1, 2026. Kumar also drives a cab and continues competing, with plans to represent India in Sri Lanka in late October 2026.