The ongoing controversy in Indian wrestling is showing no signs of subsiding. Sakshee Malikkh had announced her retirement just hours after the wrestling federation elections. Sakshee is also a medallist of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The next day, Bajrang Punia, medallist in the Tokyo Olympics, also announced to return his Padma Shri award. Now female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has also decided to return her two awards.
Vinesh wrote a letter to PM
Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced the return of the Arjun Award along with Khel Ratna. He announced this by writing a letter to PM Narendra Modi. While sharing the letter, Vinesh wrote in the caption, “I am returning my Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjun Award. Many thanks to the Almighty for putting me in this situation.”
मैं अपना मेजर ध्यानचंद खेल रत्न और अर्जुन अवार्ड वापस कर रही हूँ।
इस हालत में पहुँचाने के लिए ताकतवर का बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KlhJzDPu9D
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) December 26, 2023
Vinesh asked the PM in the letter – I remember the year in 2016, when Sakshi Malik had won a medal in the Olympics, your government had made her the brand ambassador of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Today I am remembering the year 2016 when Sakshi had to leave wrestling. Are we female players made only to appear on government advertisements?
When did Vinesh get awards?
Vinesh Phogat received the Arjuna Award in 2016. After that, Major Dhyan Chand received the Khel Ratna Award in 2020. Khel Ratna is the biggest award given to a sportsperson in India. Vinesh was injured at the time of receiving the award. She had come to receive the award in a wheelchair.
Vinesh Phogat’s achievement
29-year-old Vinesh does not have an Olympic medal. But she has won two bronzes in the World Championship. There is one gold and one bronze in the Asian Championship. Apart from this, he also has three gold medals in Commonwealth Games. Vinesh is the cousin sister of Geeta and Babita Phogat. Vinesh was considered a big contender for a medal in the Rio Olympics, but she had to drop out due to a knee injury.
