Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Refrains from Commenting on Bajrang Punia’s Padma Shri Protest
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur declined to delve into the heated controversy surrounding wrestler Bajrang Punia’s decision to return his Padma Shri award as a protest against the election of Sanjay Singh as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president. Punia, an Olympic medalist, had attempted to hand over a protest letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but was obstructed by authorities, leaving the Padma Shri medallion on a New Delhi footpath. Thakur, speaking at the SAI centre during an event honoring eminent athletes and inaugurating new hostel facilities and a Synthetic Athletic Track, chose not to elaborate further, stating, “I have already spoken enough. No more comments.”
During the function, Thakur emphasized the need for former champions to step up and support emerging athletes in their quest to excel on the global stage. He highlighted India’s recent achievements, with athletes securing over 100 medals in both the Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Asian Para Games. Thakur stressed the importance of showcasing these success stories and called upon past champions to contribute their knowledge and experience to nurture future talent, ensuring sustained success in upcoming competitions.
“We have witnessed remarkable victories across various sporting events, including the historic win at the Thomas Cup last year, as well as notable accomplishments in hockey, athletics, and more. Our champions must impart their wisdom and expertise to aspiring athletes, fostering a legacy of excellence for continued improvement,” Thakur remarked, rallying the former champions to play an instrumental role in shaping the future of Indian sports.
The Sports Minister’s call for mentorship and guidance from former champions comes amidst escalating tensions within the wrestling community, yet his focus remains steadfast on bolstering India’s sporting prowess through collaboration and support across generations of athletes.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
