Poll akhada fails to lure pehalwans this time

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, October 11

Thanks to the recognition being given to sportspersons by the government, media and people, pehalwans of the state’s famous akharas, who used to be employed as musclemen by political leaders during the elections, now prefer to focus on their sport.

The craze and glamour of representing their state and country and a strong urge to win medals at prestigious national and international sporting events now drive the state’s wrestlers.

“The sportspersons get handsome cash rewards on winning medals in big sporting events. They also get preference in government jobs and respect in society. Media gives them good publicity and they become role models for youth and budding sportspersons. Hence, they want to focus on excelling in the sport and refuse to get used as musclemen during elections,” says Ranbir Dhaka, a wrestling coach who trains pehalwans at Mehar Singh’s akhara in Rohtak.

He points out that 170 wrestlers trained at the akhara have got jobs in the police force, Railways, Army, Navy, Air Force and other government departments/wings during the past 12 years by virtue of their outstanding performance in prestigious national and international sporting events.

The wrestling guru admits that earlier political leaders used to employ pehalwans as musclemen during elections. “As of now, some wrestlers who are unable to make a mark in the sport work as bodyguards with politicians as well as other celebrities,” observes Dhaka.

The passion for wrestling and popularity of Haryana’s akharas can be gauged from the fact that more than 200 wrestlers from nearly a dozen states across the country.

Notably, none of them wants to work as bodyguards of politicians.

“Many youths who escort politicians, especially during the elections, are paid well and get lucrative facilities. But the world of sports offers much more if one works hard and has patience,” asserts 21-year-old Bharat Vir of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who has recently won a bronze medal at the National Under-23 Championship and aims to represent India in World Championship. He has been training at an akhara in Rohtak for the last three years.