Vinesh Phogat Launches International Academy with Haryana Prize Funds
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Synopsis
Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat is set to establish a world-class sports academy for young athletes using Rs 4 crore awarded by the Haryana Government for her Olympic performance, aiming to foster a positive environment in sports.
Key Takeaways
- Vinesh Phogat aims to open a sports academy for youth.
- She received Rs 4 crore from Haryana for her Olympic efforts.
- The academy will provide top-tier training facilities.
- Phogat emphasizes the importance of community support.
- She transitioned to politics after her wrestling career.
New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her intention to establish a premier training academy for young athletes, utilizing the Rs 4 crore prize money awarded by the Haryana Government in recognition of her remarkable, yet disappointing, performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The sports policy of Haryana is exemplary, providing athletes with three choices: land, employment, or monetary rewards. Compensation ranges from Rs 6 crore for Olympic gold medallists, Rs 4 crore for silver medallists, and Rs 2.5 crore for bronze medallists.
Although Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg category due to being slightly over the weight limit before the final, the Haryana Government chose to reward her as if she were a silver medallist. Phogat opted for cash compensation and has pledged to establish an international-level sports academy for aspiring athletes.
“The true victory lies in respecting an athlete's dedication. The public has showered me with love, respect, trust, courage, and strength. Now it is my turn to give back,” she shared in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“It has always been my ambition to create superior facilities and a nurturing sports environment for future athletes. That moment has arrived. I am eternally grateful for the honor and recognition bestowed upon me by the people and the Haryana Government for my Olympic performance.
“The prize money from the government is not merely a reward; it is a gateway to realizing a dream I have cherished for years. Hence, this prize money will be directed towards establishing a world-class sports academy, where young athletes can elevate their skills with top-notch resources,” posted Phogat on X.
“An academy where young talents are not hindered by inadequate facilities, and where they receive the admiration and motivation that every dedicated athlete rightfully deserves. For this reason, I will require your support—this dream is not solely mine; it belongs to all of us, and it is a shared responsibility to make it a reality,” she emphasized.
Vinesh made history as the first Indian female wrestler to compete in an Olympic final but was disqualified from her gold medal match in the women's 50 kg category after failing her second weigh-in. This disqualification, which prompted her retirement announcement, dashed her gold medal hopes and underscored the strict weight requirements at the Olympics.
Vinesh struggled with weight management and was racing against time to meet the stringent 50 kg limit, ultimately missing it by just over 100 grams.
Subsequently, she appealed her Olympic disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal in the 50kg category, but her request was denied shortly thereafter.
Following her retirement from wrestling, Vinesh ventured into politics, contesting in the State Assembly elections in Haryana, where she now serves as an MLA.
