In a recent decision, the government of Haryana has decided to grant wrestler Vinesh Phogat benefits equivalent to those of an Olympic silver medallist, despite her disqualification in the gold medal match at Paris 2024. Vinesh, now a Congress MLA, will be awarded the same benefits as a silver medallist under the state’s sports policy, making an exception in her case.
Vinesh had reached the final in the 50kg freestyle wrestling at the Paris Olympics. Just before her bout on August 7, 2024, she was found to be 100 grams above the 50 kg limit. In the Olympics, an athlete must remain within their designated weight class, and even a minor weight breach results in disqualification. At her first weigh-in on August 6, she was 49.9 kg.
“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women’s wrestling 50kg class,” the Indian Olympic Association said in a release. “Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy.”
During that time, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini acknowledged Vinesh’s exceptional achievement up until the final. His tweet read: “Vinesh Phogat could not win a medal due to technical reasons, but she has made the country and Haryana proud.”
Haryana Government’s Decision
The current decision by the Haryana cabinet ensures that the decorated wrestler will receive the same financial rewards as an athlete who officially won a silver medal at the Olympic Games.
As per Haryana’s sports policy, an Olympic silver medallist is entitled to the following incentives:
Cash Prize: A monetary reward of ₹4 crore.
Government Job: An Outstanding Sports Person (OSP) job under a Group ‘A’ government post within the Haryana administration.
HSVP Plot: Allotment of a residential plot under the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) scheme.
These benefits aim to recognize and support athletes for their sporting achievements and inspire the youth to take up sports.
As reported by The Tribune, in a press conference CM Saini and Vinesh raised the issue in the Vidhan Sabha. Since Phogat is now an MLA, she will have the discretion to choose which benefits she wishes to avail. As her disqualification was due to technical reasons under the laws of the sport, CM Saini assured that this would not lessen her accomplishments in the eyes of the state.
During the budget session at the Haryana Legislative Assembly, Vinesh was vocal about her struggles during the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the then president, former BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. India’s top wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh and others protested at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. That agitation started in January 2023 and continued till June. Later, a chargesheet was filed against Brij Bhushan.
In the assembly, Vinesh reminded CM Saini of his promise of awarding her with equal benefits of a silver medallist, and she was assured by the Haryana chief minister.
After the Paris 2024 heartbreak, on August 8, 2024, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling and soon after, in September, joined politics. She represented the Indian National Congress from the Julana Assembly and won by over 6000 votes.
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