Mahavir Phogat said Vinesh should have competed in the 2028 Olympics before entering politics. He suggested that his niece should have focused on training new talent through the federation
Wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat has been fielded by the Congress party from the Julana assembly segment for the upcoming Haryana assembly polls. However, her uncle Mahavir Phogat, who is unhappy with her decision expressed that she could have chosen not to enter politics at this stage and could have done so after 2028.
In an exclusive conversation with News18, Mahavir Phogat said, “Vinesh should not have entered politics now. I do not consider it appropriate.”
Explaining his reason, Mahavir Phogat said, “Vinesh should have participated in the 2028 Olympics now. That would have been important for her. If she had entered politics after 2028, she would have been called a medalist. I am not sure how much good she will do for the players by entering politics. A player should focus on training new talent rather than stepping into politics. This can also be done by joining the federation.”
When Mahavir Phogat was asked what about his daughter Babita Phogat joining politics in 2019, he said, “Before 2016, there was a Congress government. I could not even get a mat in the arena. Prior to that, I had trained players at the international level. This is why, my daughter Babita Phogat contested the elections in 2019. Those mats were provided to us by the BJP government in 2016.”
Speaking on the probability whether Vinesh Phogat could become the Sports Minister if the Congress government comes to power in Haryana, Mahavir Phogat said, “It would be great if she becomes the Sports Minister and makes a positive impact on the players.”
Targeting former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deepender Singh Hooda, Mahavir Phogat said, “Today, they are talking about the welfare of their daughters. When the protest was going on at Jantar Mantar, why did he not sit there throughout the time? If players benefit so much from joining politics, then all the politicians should have sat on the protest with the players at Jantar Mantar. Vinesh’s decision to enter politics is her own. I have not spoken to her.”
Polling in Haryana will take place on October 5 while the counting of votes for the elections to the 90-member assembly will take place on October 8.
