Vinesh Phogat, is the new sporting icon of India and even though she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics, a development which has baffled all experts, she has won the hearts of all her countrymen. Even wrestling legends from the United States have expressed surprise over the decision, and it is evident that she has been a victim of politics and much more. Vinesh’s disqualification came close on the heels of Nishant Dev, an Indian Boxer losing his quarter final bout to Marcos Verde Alvarez, of Mexico in the 71 Kilogram category, in a controversial decision which did not go well with followers of the game. Nishant clearly had performed much better than his famous adversary and was a victim of poor referring and official apathy. Had the Indian contingent lodged a strong protest, things could have been different.
Like in the case of Vinesh Phogat, the story is the same. The officials who have accompanied the contingents are not equipped to deal with situations which can suddenly arise and therefore are unprepared. This is also a reflection on the Indian Olympic Association, a body headed by Sporting legend, PT Usha, who unfortunately in her role as an administrator has been found lacking to deal with the challenges. Like in other spheres, Sports needs total professionals to be sent to help the athletes, and not those who are picked up by various associations and bodies because of their proximity with powerful politicians. What has happened to Vinesh Phogat, is something which would always remain etched in the minds of every India. This gritty wrestler reached the finals despite all odds and in the end, was disqualified, because the officials and coaches were unable to anticipate the development.
There are multiple conspiracy theories that are doing the rounds and the most common is that Vinesh is a victim of politics since she had stood up along with others, to take on powerful persons in the Wrestling Federation of India. The current president is a nominee of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whose ouster was demanded by wrestlers for his alleged mis-conduct. Phogat along with other champion wrestlers like Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, sat on a dharna at the Jantar Mantar, after they felt that the government which had decided to sort out the matter, appeared to be backing the person, against whom they had sought action.
When Vinesh reached the finals of the 50-kilogram category event, there were reports all over as to how this daughter of India, was on the threshold of bringing glory to the country. And how this journey had been so tough, given what she had to undergo last year and how she was pushed around and dragged by the police while she was agitating. Vinesh Phogat was poised to become a champion, both of the right cause and her sport. However, this was not to be and she ended up facing the cruel decision, which has now forced her to seek premature retirement from the sport she loved. Vinesh may have been denied a medal, but for most Indians, she is someone who needs to be admired and lauded for her unique achievement. A Union Minister while commenting on Vinesh did not forget to mention, how the government had spent so much money on her training and preparations. This was certainly in bad taste since it is the duty of every government to promote sports and our athletes, and spending on them is not any obligation or charity.
What matters at this instance is that Vinesh may have been deprived of her rightful place by the Olympics committee because of outdated rules, but she has won numerous hearts. For Indians, she is a winner all the way, and her being disqualified was an inaccurate manner of depicting the achievements of someone who had reached the finals of an event and was all set to have a go at the Gold Medal. Her performance was of Gold standard and nothing less, and it is not Vinesh, who had lost, but the sport itself where officials, interpret rules to diminish the sport as well as the achievement of the wrestlers. They are somewhat like the bureaucracy in our country, which instead of helping out, first wishes to absolve itself of any blame which could follow later.
Significantly, Vinesh’s disqualification comes at a time, when Haryana, her home state is getting ready for Assembly elections. The ruling BJP has decided to honour her while the Congress, which has emerged as the main challenger, is considering fielding her for Rajya Sabha from the seat vacated by Deependra Hooda, after he won a Lok Sabha seat from Rohtak. Although the decision to join politics is going to be entirely of the iconic wrestler, yet it is evident that after her stellar and outstanding performance, she is someone who can influence the people. A major point that needs attention is that Indian sport has suffered because of unwanted interference of powerful political leaders. Cricket after Hockey is the most watched sport in the country and everyone knows how its administration is in the hands of politicians. Wrestling is something which is a part of Indian sporting culture. The Akharas in villages symbolize that. Vinesh Phogat, has come out on the international stage from one such Akhara. She needs the support and her contribution to the sport shall always be engraved in golden letters for the posterity. She is the role Model, the Princess, who was deprived of her Crown.