Zeenews Bureau
Bhiwani, Aug 22: He may have lost the semi-final bout to Cuba’s Emilio Correa at Beijing’s boxing ring, but if there is ‘a winner in defeat’, it certainly is Vijender Singh. While winning and losing are a part and parcel of sports, Vijender’s defeat was not a loss….rather it was a beginning. Bhiwani’s blue eyed boy is now the toast of the nation, post his bronze winning feat at the Olympics.
As accolades and rewards flow thick and fast from all quarters post India’s best ever performance at Olympics, the country finally seems to be taking note of the immense untapped sporting potential it possesses. Stories of the hardships that the athletes go through merely to compete at world events may be a thing of past as the Government finally looks determined to put to rest, statements like ‘person winning despite the system.’
Speaking to Zee News immediately after Vijender’s bout, the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, besides announcing a reward of Rs 50 lakhs for him, also pledged a long term commitment towards up-lifting the neglected segment of sports in Haryana.
Hooda announced setting up of a world class boxing academy in Bhiwani and a wrestling academy in another. “The abundant talent in these areas should not go waste. All the facilities would be provided to sportspersons. The huge potential has to be utilised properly…..we can win more medals.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced a cash prize of Rs 25 lakhs for Vijender’s coach Jagdish. “We have to look after coaches also. They will mould future champions”, he said.
Hooda said that it was a matter of great pride for the state of Haryana that it’s 3 boxers, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, besides Vijender himself, all hailing from Bhiwani, had made it to the quarter-finals at the world’s highest stage.
A grand facilitation has been planned for all the boxers and the coaches.
