Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said the state will reward wrestler Vinesh Phogat with all the benefits that an Olympics silver medallist is entitled to. He has also invited bronze-medallist shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh to his residence.
During a press conference, he said the whole country is proud of Vinesh Phogat, who was set to compete for gold at Paris before she was disqualified for reportedly being 100g overweight in the 50-kg category. "Not just Haryana, but the whole country is proud of our daughter Vinesh. Some problems arose which led to her disqualification. Despite everything, the state government has decided that we will reward her with all the benefits that a silver medallist is entitled to. How can we let her morale down?" Saini said, as reported by ANI.
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"I have also invited bronze-medallists Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh to my residence tomorrow... (Congress leader) Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the entire Opposition indulge in politics in everything, including sports. Whatever our government has done for our players and the policies brought for them to boost their morale, no government has been able to do," Saini said.
In a post on the social media platform X, Nayab Singh Saini said, "Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and entered the finals of the Olympics. Due to some reasons, she may not have been able to play the final of the Olympics but she is a champion for all of us. Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medallist. All the respect, rewards, and facilities that the Haryana government gives to the Olympic silver medalist will be gratefully given to Vinesh Phogat as well."
Under its sports policy, the Haryana government grants Rs 6 crore to Olympic gold medallists, Rs 4 crore to silver medallists, and Rs 2.5 crore to bronze medallists.
Phogat announced her retirement from international wrestling on Thursday, stating that she no longer had the strength to continue. On Tuesday, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold-medal match in the 50-kg category, but was subsequently disqualified.