Once a Railways TT now a Dronacharya award nominee

The 55-year-old Singh, who once worked intensely to capture without-ticket travellers in trains -- plying on Baghpat, Jind, Loni and Shamli route -- has now produced five Arjuna awardees and several international Kabaddi players.

Singh is a Dronacharya award nominee of the Railways Sports Control Board for Kabaddi for the year 2011.

Last year's two Arjuna awardees in Kabaddi -- Rakesh Kumar and V Taejaswini Bai -- have also trained under him for years.

"All my students were keen that I should make an effort to get my work acknowledged. Then I got my achievements listed and forwarded it. Now if the results of my hard work gets due recognition, it would be great. I am happy otherwise too," Singh, who himself was an Arjuna awardee in 1997, told PTI in an interaction.

Rakesh, who was captain of the Indian Kabaddi team that won gold in 2010 Asian Games, joins the conversation.

"Look, what I am today is because of coach sahab (sir). Our achievement was recognised when we won gold, then coach sahab should also get his due. After all it is his hard work that we could perform at big stage," said Rakesh, who has trained for 14 years under Singh, said.

Singh, who is now Railways Sports Officer, was also nominated by the National Kabaddi Federation last year but could not make the cut.

"This time, my department has sent my nomination and I am quite hopeful this year," he said. MORE