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Chandigarh, August 7
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday strongly criticized the Union government for its failure to protect the interests of Indian athletes competing in the Paris Olympics.
During his visit to the native village of wrestler Vinesh Phogat and meeting with her family, the Chief Minister expressed his dismay at the step-motherly treatment Indian players have received at the ongoing Olympics. He condemned the lack of response from the Indian government, noting that Vinesh Phogat’s unceremonious ouster despite her strong performance up to the semi-finals and the unjust red card given to an Indian hockey player were both unwarranted and undesirable. Mann emphasized that it is shocking to see the Indian government and the Indian Olympic Association remain silent on these issues.
The Chief Minister pointed out the contradiction in the Centre’s stance: while it boasts of India’s readiness to host the Olympic Games, it fails to secure the interests of its athletes. He praised the Indian players for their exemplary sportsmanship but criticized the Union government for their lack of support, which has resulted in missed opportunities for medals. Mann questioned the rationale behind paying hefty fees to coaches, physiotherapists, and others when players suffer due to minor issues like a 200-gram weight gain.
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Mann accused the officials of treating the event as a mere sojourn, failing to protect the athletes’ interests. He highlighted the Union government’s tall claims about intervening in international conflicts like the Ukraine war while neglecting the struggles of Indian athletes. The Chief Minister assured that the nation stands with Vinesh Phogat, a brave athlete who missed a medal because the Union government did not even bother to file an appeal against her disqualification.
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