NEW DELHI: Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat has opted for a cash prize of Rs 4 crore from the Haryana government after being offered benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist.
The 30-year-old athlete was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics for being overweight ahead of her gold medal bout in the 50-kg category.
Phogat, a three-time Olympian, had led protests against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
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She successfully contested the Haryana Assembly elections from Julana in Jind district last year on a Congress ticket.
Recently, the Haryana government offered Phogat three choices under its sports policy: a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, an Outstanding Sportsperson (OSP) job under Group ‘A’, or a Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) plot.
After considering the options, Phogat submitted a letter to the state sports department on Tuesday, informing them of her decision to accept the cash award.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had previously announced that the Haryana cabinet had decided to offer Phogat benefits equivalent to those of an Olympic silver medallist under the state’s sports policy.
During the Haryana Assembly’s Budget Session in March, Phogat had reminded Saini of his promise to honour her like a medallist after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
“It is not about money, it is about respect. Many people from across the state tell me that I must have received the cash award,” Phogat said.
Saini acknowledged that Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to a procedural decision and called her “Haryana’s pride”.
He assured that he would not allow her honour to be diminished.
