Disappointed, sports lovers cry foul over sudden exit of wrestler
Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service
Hisar, August 7
Hailing wrestler Vinesh Phogat as the hero of Indian sports, the people of Haryana are both outraged and disappointed over her disqualification from the Olympics just before her final match in Paris.
The Sangwan Khap panchayat, which Vinesh Phogat belongs to being a native of Balali village, said they will welcome Vinesh like a champion when she returns. Sangwan Khap panchayat president Sombir Sangwan, who is also an MLA from Charkhi Dadri, said he smelt something fishy in her disqualification.
“Vinesh has fought a long battle to rise from the rubble to prove herself at the Olympics. She had almost succeeded but for the weight row,” Sangwan said, adding this was a massive blow not only to Vinesh but for the sports of the country, particularly to wrestling.
Nar Singh Sangwan, secretary of the khap panchayat, said this was the most unusual and unexpected setback to the wrestler. “We have supported her all the way to Delhi from Charkhi Dadri. We stand by Vinesh and other players. She is a real champion,” he said.
Tejpal Dalal, a sports writer who documented the rise of women wrestling in India, said this seemed to be the biggest controversy surrounding Indian sports ever. “She was so close to a historic gold medal. Her ouster from the Olympics in such an unexpected way has something more than a faux pas. Those responsible for this must be probed. She has a supporting staff that need to keep account of everything about the player, including her weight,” Dalal said, adding the whole issue must be probed.
Former Olympian wrestler Ashok Kumar Garg, who participated in 1992 Olympics, said shedding weight just in the nick of time before weighing is a tough task.
Recalling his experience, he said, “I had to work extremely hard to be in the weight limit during the World Championship in Bulgaria in 1991 where I secured the Olympics berth. But it is extremely tough and painful,” he
said, adding it seemed Vinesh and her staff too had worked the night before to be in the right weight but just crossed the limit.
Ravinder Pannu, a boxing coach who is part of the entourage to the Paris Olympics, told The Tribune over the phone, “The sportspersons and staff are extremely dejected over the exit of Vinesh. Though it was a matter of rule that led to her exit, it came as a big setback. Everybody here is in shock as we just missed the biggest achievement in wrestling. We were sure of her victory in the final after she defeated the defending champion,” Pannu said.
Rajiv Malik of Satbas Khap, retired coach Prithvi Singh, Ajit Sarpanch of Sisay and others during discussion in Azad Nagar, said Vinesh was a victim of some conspiracy.
Probe sought
Vinesh Phogat was so close to a historic gold. Her ouster from the Olympics in such an unexpected way has something more than a faux pas. Those responsible for this must be probed. — Tejpal Dalal, sports writer
