Deafalympian Virender Singh regrets over Khel Ratna snub

By
Teja Devathoti
-
4

A highly successful Deafalympian, Virender Singh, expressed his disappointment over his name being snubbed from the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour, as several other athletes were honoured by President Draupadi Murmu at the National Sports Awards ceremony held at Rashtrapthi Bhavan, Delhi on Tuesday.

The world No.2 star Badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were honoured with Khel Ratna for their immense contribution in Indian Badminton.

Virender Singh shares a dejected post

Virender Singh, fondly known as Goonga Pahalwan, won three Deaflympics Gold medals in wrestling. He was previously honoured with Arjuna Award in 2015 and Padma Shri in 2021. Virender took to social media, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, as he expressed his frustration at not winning the illustrious Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour.

Virender Singh also blamed the Haryana Government for not fulfilling the promise of rewarding him with Rs. 8 crore, as per its policy.

Virender Singh
Virender Singh with his medals. Source: X
Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, and Honorable Sports Minister Shri @ianuragthakur ji, even after winning five Deaf Olympic medals, I did not get the Khel Ratna, nor did the Haryana Government give me eight crore rupees under the policy, my crime is this much. I am a deaf-mute disabled player..! Jay Hind,”(translated from Hindi)Singh posted on X.
Virender Singh has previously supported the wrestlers protest against Brij Bhushan Singh in sexual harassment case. Singh also on a X post said that he will wear the Padma Shri on his chest only when the female wrestlers gets full respect. He also backed Vinesh Phogat’s decision of returning the medals.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR