Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the release of Rs five lakh for the treatment of ailing Asian Games gold medal winner athlete Hakam Singh (64).

The CM, who had tweeted his concern and asked the DC to visit the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games medallist, has directed the Barnala district administration to ensure all necessary assistance for the Dhyan Chand Awardee, who is undergoing treatment for liver and kidney ailments at hospital.

The former athlete, who had also served as Havaldar in the 6 Sikh Regiment, was conferred the Dhyan Chand Award in 2008. He had a near fatal accident which forced him to hang his boots in 1981, marking an abrupt end to an illustrious sporting career.

Singh continued his association with sports by becoming a coach. Singh also served in the army and the Punjab police. In 2008, Singh’s contributions to the field of sports were finally recognised, and he was conferred the Dhyan Chand Award by the then President, Pratibha Patil.

However, the former champion now faces a tough situation, as he is currently undergoing treatment for Liver and Kidney ailments. Singh is presently admitted in a private hospital in Sangrur, after spending four days in Barnala.

The CM reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare of former sportspersons in the state and has assured of all monetary help to ensure that they lead a respectable life after retirement from active sports.

Meanwhile, in a major relief to the 858 families of home guard volunteers who had died while on duty after 1 January, 2007, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered enrolment of their dependents as volunteers.

The decision marks the single largest enrolment of home guard volunteers done on compassionate grounds in the history of Punjab.

The kin of the deceased have already completed 45 days of basic training, making them eligible for enrolment, said an official spokesperson, adding that the CM has given his nod for their formal induction.

The families of the deceased home guards had been running from pillar to post for enrolment for the past 10 years.