North News
Chandigarh, August 7
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday slammed the Union government for failing to secure the interests of the players taking part in the Paris Olympics. The Chief Minister, who visited the native village of Wrestler Vinesh Phogat and met her family, said that it is unfortunate that Indian players have been facing step-motherly treatment in the ongoing Olympics but the Indian government is mum over the issue. He said that the unceremonious ouster of Phogat even though she had drubbed the wrestlers of other countries till the semi-finals and was strongly probable of Olympics gold along with a red card given to the Indian Hockey player despite of no fault was unwarranted and undesirable. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is surprising that the Indian government and the Indian Olympic Association is a mute spectator to it.
The Chief Minister said that on one hand the Centre government is boasting that India is all set for hosting the Olympic games but on the other hand the interests of the players from the country are not being secured. He said that the Indian players have displayed exemplary sportsmanship during the ongoing games but due to mistakes of the Union government, they have not been able to win the medal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that if players have to suffer due to mere around 200 grams of weight gain then for what purpose the coaches, physiotherapists and others are being paid hefty fees.
The Chief Minister said that officials just went for sojourn as they were not able to safeguard the interests of the players. He said that tall claims are made every day by the Indian government regarding intervening to stop the ongoing Ukraine war but the players who had worked hard for these games have been left to suffer alone. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the country is with the brave girl of country Vinesh Phogat, who has missed the medal just because the Union government had not even bothered to file an appeal against her disqualification.
