Batra defends Manu after Vij seeks apology

Chandigarh, January 5

Haryana’s Sports Minister Anil Vij on Saturday demanded an apology from international shooter Manu Bhaker, disapproving the “manner” in which she expressed her displeasure at not receiving the promised cash reward of Rs 2 crore for winning a gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

Manu, however, got support from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra, who asked Vij to stop “intimidating and threatening” the shooter.    

The 16-year-old Manu on Friday reminded the Haryana Sports Minister of the promises made after her Youth Olympics success.

Manu had posted screen shots of Vij’s tweets on her Twitter handle, in which he had promised her cash award to the tune of Rs 2 crore.

Reacting to the tweets, Vij said: “She should have first spoken to the Sports Department rather than airing her issue in public domain. The language she used in her tweet is aimed at tarnishing the image of the state and it is in bad taste.”

Vij sought an apology from Manu, saying as per the policy of the government the prize money for any year’s medals is given the next year.

“The government has given all pending prize money to sportsmen in August 2018... for those who are left out, a plan is under way and they too will be given the prize money,” he said.

Batra, however, said it was Vij who should apologise to Manu and not the other way round. “Haryana Government, request please pay up to the athlete what your minister Anil Vij announced on social media,” Batra wrote on his Facebook page. — PTI