Khaps, farmers honour wrestler Vinesh Phogat in Jind

Tribune News Service

Hisar, August 27

Khap panchayats and farmer organisations honoured wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had missed a medal in the Paris Olympics due to a weight issue, at a function orgainsed by the Khatkar Toll Youth Committee in Khatkar village of Jind district today.

The representatives from 105 villages, including from farmer organisations and khap panchayats, appreciated Vinesh for her struggle and assured her of all kind of help. The Khatkar Toll Youth Committee presented her a mace while the Khatkar Khap honoured her with a silver crown. The Kandela Khap welcomed her by presenting her a plough in the evening.

Vinesh, while addressing the gathering, said that she felt let down about what happened in the Paris Olympics. “Everyone knows what happened after I reached the finals. But when I returned home, I was overwhelmed by the love and support of my countrymen. I felt that the medal was nothing compared to the respect I got in the country,” she added.

She said that she got a lot of strength and courage from the blessings and appreciation of people. She urged the local youth to give their best to whatever they wanted to pursue as career, be it sports or education. She also offered help to the youth in sports, especially wrestling.

Vinesh recalled the farmers’ agitation stating that she felt very sad when they died for the cause of the peasantry. “I cried many times on seeing the videos of atrocities inflicted on farmers during the stir. Farmers were harassed a lot during the agitation. I helped them as much as I could. When we were in trouble and were protesting in Delhi, you also gave strength to me and other wrestlers sitting on dharna,” she added.

She said that peoples’ expectations from her had gone up now. “I am not sure whether I will be able to continue to pursue sports or not. But I will definitely contribute my bit to the betterment of wrestling in Haryana,” she added.