Chandigarh: Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat has chosen a cash prize of ₹4 crore after the Haryana government offered her benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist, asking her to choose from various options.

Phogat, 30, was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics for being overweight ahead of her gold medal match in the 50-kg weight category. A three-time Olympian, she had led protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Last year, she won the Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency in Jind district as a Congress candidate.

The Haryana government had recently offered Phogat three benefits, equivalent to those extended to Olympic silver medallists. These included a ₹4 crore cash reward, a Group 'A' job under the Outstanding Sportsperson (OSP) category, and a plot from the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP).

According to official sources, Phogat submitted a letter to the state sports department on Tuesday, informing them of her decision to accept the cash award.

Last month, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that the Haryana Cabinet had decided to grant Phogat benefits in line with those given to Olympic silver medallists.

The offer followed a reminder from Phogat during the Budget Session of the Haryana Assembly in March, where she recalled the chief minister’s earlier assurance to honour her achievements despite her Olympic disqualification.

"The chief minister had said that Vinesh is our daughter and she would receive the reward as an Olympic silver medallist. This promise has still not been fulfilled," she said in the Assembly.

"It is not about money, it is about respect. Many people from across the state tell me that I must have received the cash award," Phogat said.

Saini noted that Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to a procedural decision.

Calling Phogat "Haryana's pride", the chief minister tweeted that he would not allow her honour to be diminished.

PTI