Manu Bhaker's Olympic bronze: Sports minister's statement gathers flak
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New Delhi: After shooter Manu Bhaker shot down the bronze medal in an individual shooting event at the Paris Olympics 2024, winning India's first medal, Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya ranting about the crores Centre spent on the star shooter instead of congratulating her on her achievement gathered severe flak from various quarters, The Wire reported.
Following her victory, Mandaviya chose the opportunity to praise the wisdom of the Narendra Modi government in spending on her as well as the facilities provided to her. The minister said that the Centre spent two crores on her and sent her to Germany and Switzerland for specialized coaching. A coach of her choice was hired for her, he said and added that his government is providing these facilities to all its athletes. He also remembered cashing the Bhaker's medal to promote the Centre's 'Khelo India' initiative and the TOPS scheme, which are intended to identify and nurture sporting talent.
Mandaviya told PTI about Bhaker, "When she met PM Modi (before the Games), she told him that 'the initiative of Khelo India has helped many athletes like myself in shaping our careers' and today, through Khelo India, many athletes are participating in many events."
An ex-bureaucrat from Haryana slammed the minister's statements, saying that he was being insensitive, and described the statements as "unwarranted". He said that when Bhaker won an Olympic medal, what the minister had ever delivered for the hundreds of crores spent on him from the exchequer, The Wire reports.
In the 2023 mass protests by wrestlers against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who was the chief of Wrestling Federation then, over sexual harassment incidents, Bhaker was among the select athletes who extended their support to the agitations.
"I am deeply pained to see the situation of my fellow athletes (Wrestlers) who have made the nation proud many times by winning medals and are now sitting on the roads to seek justice. I strongly stand with my fellow athletes and request for appropriate action on their complaints," Bhaker wrote on X.