CHANDIGARH, Aug 12: Top Indian amateur golfer Harmeet Kahlon, who has been selected for the Arjuna Award, said here today that ``the announcement of the highest national sports award is very timely and encouraging. It is a morale booster as the Indian golfers are preparing hard for the forthcoming Asian Games. Moreover, the government has appreciated my staying amateur for such a long time and representing the country while I could have earned lot of money on the pro circuit.''An elated Harmeet said ``the award will be a guiding factor to excel more while representing the country in the Asian Games.''
A beaming Harmeet's father Captain Manmohan Kahlon said ``we were under tremendous pressure but we sticked to the collective decision. That is why Harmeet is still an amateur golfer while his colleagues have turned professionals.''
Harmeet will turn professional ``only after achieving his ambition of winning the major world titles and he is moving from strength to strength in this direction.''
``The Arjuna Award is a big recognition for an amateur golfer from the Government,'' said Captain Kahlon.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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