Retired hurt, Vinesh Phogat rues govt apathy

Sat Singh

Tribune News Service

Bhiwani, September 9

“All my dreams to fetch a medal for the country were shattered when I sustained injury during my bout in the Rio Olympics, but more upsetting was the government’s attitude towards me after it,” said Vinesh Phogat, a woman wrestler from Balali village in the district.

Interacting with mediapersons after her knee surgery in Mumbai, Vinesh, a gold medalist in the Senior Women National Championship, said as she had failed to win a medal, nobody bothered to know well-being of her.

Notably, the government had announced to bear all medical expenses of Phogat after she sustained the injury.

“No one has approached me or my family for extending medical help so far. It is unworthy on the part of the government to ignore a promising player,” she lamented.

Sharing her past experiences with the government, she said that she wanted to work for the Haryana Government, but after they did not offer her a job, she had to join the Indian Railways.

Refusing to get bogged down, she said that she was recovering fast and would soon hit the ‘akhara’ for mission Tokyo Olympics 2020.

“I am sure to win gold medal in Tokyo Olympics and I am thankful that people have been extending their prayers and wishes to me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Indian National Student Organisation national president Digvijay Chautala honoured Vinesh Phogat today by handing over a cash amount of Rs 5.5 lakh and promised another Rs 5 lakh from the INLD MP quota for other sports facilities.

Digvijay said that the government should open a Sports Authority of India academy in Balali village where six sisters, including Geeta and Babita, had attained international fame in wrestling without any support. He said Dronacharya awardee and father of Geeta and Babita should be appointed the SAI academy director in Balali village, who single-handedly brought this transformation in wrestling despite several hurdles.