Dangal the game-changer for Haryana’s Phogat sisters

Karam Parkash

Patiala, April 12

Dangal, the movie made on the life of the Phogat sisters and their father Mahavir, has left a deep impression on the audiences — and also on WFI.

WFI recently exempted the Phogat sisters from the national camp being held at Lucknow. WFI has accepted their request and permitted them to practise and train under their father, like in the good old times shown in Dangal.

It is not the first time WFI has been extra kind to the Phogat sisters. Both Geeta and Babita had missed the National Championship last year but were allowed in the national camp, in contravention of WFI’s own guidelines.

Dangal effect?

Some wrestlers in the national camp have accused WFI of favouritism, alleging the rules have been bent for the Phogat sisters due to the success of Dangal.

When contacted, Geeta Phogat said: “Right now, I am preparing for the World Championship. I will not be participating in the Asian Championship.” She said she was training in the akhara of Pawan Kumar, her husband, in the Bunana village near Delhi.

After Dangal’s success, Geeta and Babita, even before WFI gave them the permission, had not attended a single session in the national camp after it commenced in January this year.

Surprisingly, the two were allowed to appear in the trials, held on March 31 in Lucknow, to select the Indian team for the Asian Championship to be held in Delhi next month. 

Sources say that the Phogat sisters had agreed to canvass for BJP in the forthcoming Delhi MCD elections. Interestingly, WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh. 

Equal chance

Mandeep Singh, personal coach of Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik, said: “Equal chance should be given to everyone. If one is being given relaxation for the trials and exemption from the camp, then everyone should have this option.”

WFI secretary VN Prasood said: “I am not aware of any such happening. But international players like Geeta and Babita who have won medals for the country can be given exemption.”

“National camps are very important for international performance as in them, you get chance to spar with the best Indian wrestlers in your weight category,” said a coach who didn’t wish to be named. “Giving an exemption to some wrestlers from the national camp will set a wrong precedent.”