Denied entry into weightlifting club, alleges CWG medallist Vikas

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16

International weightlifter Vikas Thakur has alleged that he was denied entry into the Ludhiana Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Club here.

Ludhiana’s Thakur won the silver medal in the 85kg event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and secured a bronze medal in the 94kg class at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The 25-year-old said that when he went to the Ludhiana Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Club at Rakh Bagh to train, he was denied entry as he did not have the permission from the competent authority.

Thakur said that Parvesh Chander Sharma, honorary general secretary at the club, did not allow him to train at the club. “I was asked to get permission from the president to train at the club,” Thakur said. “However, my father, Brij Lal, and I couldn’t contact the president of the club, Narinder Kala, who was reportedly out of station for some medical treatment,” he added.

Thakur is employed with the Air Force and currently posted at Chandigarh. “I am on leave and want to train at the local club,” Thakur said. “If I am being denied entry, what about others who wish to train here?” he asked.

Sharma, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said that the president would arrive tomorrow and Thakur could get the permission then.