Vinesh announces to open sports academy with cash prize

Congress MLA and former international wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced that she will use the Rs 4 crore prize money awarded by the Haryana government to open a world-class sports academy.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The reward was given in recognition of her performance in the Paris Olympics 2024, where she reached the final in the 50 kg wrestling category but was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight.

Vinesh thanked the Haryana government on social media and said, "Honouring an athlete's hard work is the real victory." She added, "People have given me love, faith, and strength. Now it is time to give back."

She said that the academy would provide top-level facilities, motivation, and respect to young athletes.

"This reward is not just a prize; it's a chance to fulfill a dream I've had for years," she said. "This dream is not mine alone; it belongs to all of us."

After being disqualified in the Olympics, CM Nayab Singh Saini had announced that she would be rewarded as if she had won silver, asking her to choose from various options.