Now, Babita speaks up: ‘State confused about sports policy’

Tribune News Service

Hisar, April 26

Wrestler Babita Phogat, who won silver medal at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, has lashed out at the state government for “failing” to honour sportspersons in a fair manner. She alleged the state government’s sports policy had a demoralising effect on them.

“Sportspersons represent the country and not any state at the international level. If the state government wants players to represent Haryana in national events, it should give befitting posts to them,” she told the media here on Thursday.

Several medallists, some of them employed with the Railways and the Army, are reportedly upset with the state government’s move to reduce the prize money since they are also to be awarded by their employers.

“Deducting the price money on the pretext that sportspersons are employed with Central Government organisations is unjustified and wrong,” said Babita, who had won gold in the CWG 2014 and silver in the 2010 edition of the games.

“The morale of players is down. The state government seems confused about framing a fair and balanced sports policy,” the wrestler said.

She further said, “I had planned to attend the felicitation function as the policy would not have impacted my prize money because I am employed with the state government. But my cousin sister Vinesh Phogat is upset and rightly so.”

“It’s surprising that the government has one policy when we go to participate in an international event and another when we return. There is total confusion,” Babita said, adding she would also write to the government if the need arose.