Vinesh Phogat on COVID scare: I'm safe in Haryana

Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat, the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for Tokyo Olympics, has pulled out of the national camp citing health safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision which has irked the national federation. The rescheduled national camp for Olympic weight category wrestlers is set to begin from September 1 in Lucknow (women) and Sonepat (men). However, Vinesh is not comfortable travelling to Lucknow as she is fearful of her health amid the raging pandemic. "I am not going to attend the camp. I am training everyday with coach Om Parkash, who follows the plan which my personal coach Woller Akos sends me every week. The situation is not good to travel to Lucknow," Vinesh told PTI.

'My stomach is sensitive'

The 2019 World Championship bronze-medallist said she "falls sick very easily" so she does not want to take a chance with her health. "My stomach is pretty sensitive. You can't go out of the SAI centre in Lucknow, so you can't get yourself a few things which you need. In Lucknow, cases are rising but it's safe in Haryana, so I am more comfortable here."

Will Vinesh get exemption?

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is not impressed with reasons given by the Asian Games gold-medallist. "The selection committee will decide if Vinesh will get exemption or not. The camp is for players. We want preparation to kick off now for Olympics," said WFI Assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. "We are not running a shop for our benefit, the camp is for players and when they express such apprehensions, it's a bit surprising," he added.

Sushil's case is different

When asked about Sushil Kumar being given exemption to stay and train at the Chhatrasal stadium, instead of the national camp, Tomar said, his case is "different". "We know that Chhatrasal is a huge facility. There is a gym, mats and enough training partners for Sushil. We don't know at which Akhada Vinesh is training, what kind of facilities are there," he said.

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