Would've felt more delighted had I received cash prize sooner, says Sakshi's coach

India women's freestyle wrestling team coach Kuldeep Singh, who guided Sakshi Malik to Rio Olympics bronze medal, on Tuesday revealed that he would have felt more delighted had he received the promised cash award by the Haryana government sooner.

"Medal was more important and we won it, the government is still looking into the matter. I would have been happier had I got the cash award sooner," Kuldeep told ANI.

After returning to his homeland, Kuldeep was presented with a photocopy of Rs 10 lakh cheque by the Haryana government at a felicitation function in Bahadurgarh last month. However, the Sports Authority of India coach is yet to receive a real cheque.

"We tried to talk to the state government but were unable to get through. I believe that work is still under progress," Kuldeep said, adding that an additional promise of promotion made by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu still remains to be fulfilled.

Kuldeep, who won the prestigious Dhyan Chand award in 2010, has been with Sakshi since 2011. He also guided her to win Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 silver medal and a bronze at the Asian Championship Doha a year later.