PM Modi directed IOA President PT Usha to take necessary action: Sports minister on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification

Mandaviya also said that Govt provided every assistance possible to wrestler Vinesh Phogat for her preparations

Mansukh Mandaviya Vinesh Phogat disqualification

Mandaviya further said that Indian Olympic Association has registered dissent with United World Wrestling regarding this matter. (YouTube/ Sansad TV and AP/PTI)

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha to take necessary action regarding wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Mandaviya said, “IOA president PT Usha directed by PM Modi to take appropriate action. IOA has registered dissent with United World Wrestling regarding this matter.”

Phogat was disqualified from the wrestling finals in 50-kg female category in the Paris Olympics 2024 after she weighed 100 gm overweight in the morning.

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“She was the first Indian woman to reach the finals in female wrestling in the Olympics,” said Mandaviya, adding that the government provided every assistance possible to the wrestler for her preparations.

Earlier in the day as the news of Phogat’s disqualification broke, Opposition MPs protested in the House during the Zero Hour demanding a statement from the government over the issue. Some MPs also trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans demanding an answer from the sports minister. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal intervened and said the minister would make a statement later in the House over the issue.

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