Honor Restored: Vinesh Phogat to Receive Olympic Silver Medalist Benefits

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Tuesday that the state government has decided to grant Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat the same benefits as an Olympic silver medalist. This decision has been made under the state’s sports policy. Vinesh Phogat, who transitioned from wrestling to politics and currently serves as an MLA from the Julana Assembly seat in Jind district, had recently raised this issue during the assembly session.

The state cabinet, considering this case as a special exception, has decided to honor and provide benefits to Vinesh Phogat under the sports policy. The government has also clarified that since she is now a legislator, she will have the option to choose which benefits she wishes to receive. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini explained that under Haryana’s sports policy, an Olympic silver medalist is entitled to three major benefits: a cash reward of ₹4 crore, a government job as an outstanding athlete under Group ‘A,’ and a plot from the Haryana Urban Development Authority.

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 due to a technical reason. She was declared ineligible before the 50 kg weight category final match because she exceeded the weight limit. Despite this, she had won the semifinal match, and the Haryana government recognized her performance as historic, announcing that she would be granted the status of an Olympic medalist.

At the time, Chief Minister Saini had tweeted that Haryana’s daughter Vinesh Phogat’s honor would not be diminished. During the assembly session, Vinesh reminded the Chief Minister of his promise, stating, “The Chief Minister had said that Vinesh is our daughter and will receive the same award as an Olympic silver medalist. However, this promise has not yet been fulfilled.”

Phogat emphasized, “This is not about money, but about respect. People across Haryana ask me whether I have received the cash reward from the government.” In August 2024, the Haryana government had announced that Vinesh Phogat would be given the status of a medal-winning athlete. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had declared that she would receive all the awards equivalent to an Olympic silver medalist.