Wrestlers gather for a candlelight vigil near India Gate to voice their concerns against the treatment of athletes in New Delhi.
In Chhara village, located in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, renowned for producing wrestling stars like Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, 19-year-old aspiring wrestler Prachi Dalal is facing an uphill battle transitioning from the sport to securing a government job. Despite a decade of dedication driven by passion and pride, she and her sister, 18-year-old Antara Dalal, express disillusionment with the current regime. “The image of Vinesh didi being dragged through the streets is still etched in my memory,” Antara remarked.
Prachi emphasized that the wrestling community will remember the government’s treatment of athletes who bring honor to the nation. Beyond the ongoing protests, they believe the government has exacerbated several issues since taking power.
“Under the previous Congress government, wrestlers found it easier to obtain government jobs. However, over the past ten years, opportunities have dwindled,” stated Manav Dalal, a 21-year-old wrestler. He highlighted that new schemes like Agniveer have disrupted their career paths, leaving many without secure employment.
Limited Opportunities, Decreasing Rewards
In Haryana’s wrestling strongholds, young, unemployed wrestlers dominate the landscape, according to coach Virendra Arya. “Wrestling demands rigorous training, leaving little room for educational pursuits. If the government neglects to offer jobs, athletes often graduate without relevant degrees or stable work,” he explained.
In Sonipat’s Juan village, similar concerns were echoed by coach Sanjeet Chikkara. Many of his former students, who joined the army under the Agniveer scheme, left due to the lack of job security. “They promise ₹30,000 a month, but in reality, my students earn about ₹20,000 without the benefits of permanent employment,” he noted.
Vikas, a 23-year-old wrestler training in Rohtak, lamented the government’s poor treatment of athletes. “Under Congress, we received cash prizes of ₹3 lakh, but now, despite rising living costs, the maximum prize is only one lakh,” he stated.
Manav Dalal pointed to the declining cash prizes as a significant barrier to pursuing wrestling as a career, while Ajay Chikkara, whose 15-year-old daughter wrestles, claimed that even the limited cash rewards rarely reach the intended recipients. “My daughter was awarded a prize by the former WFI chairman, yet despite the publicity, we never saw the money,” he recounted.
As a father training both his daughter and son in wrestling, Ajay laid the blame for their struggles solely on the current government. “Without financial support for athletes and sufficient assistance for our agricultural products, we cannot sustain our children’s dreams. This time, our support will go to a party that truly understands the needs of athletes,” he declared.
Published – September 15, 2024 08:12 pm IST
