NEW DELHI: Decorated Deafalympian and wrestler Virender Singh, affectionately known as Goonga Pahalwan, expressed deep disappointment after being overlooked for the prestigious Khel Ratna at the National Sports Awards 2023.
The awards ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday, saw President Draupadi Murmu honoring several athletes, but Virender's omission from the Khel Ratna list left him disheartened.
Virender, a recipient of three Deafalympics Gold medals and the Padma Shri in 2021, took to social media to voice his frustration.
In a message directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, he stated, "Honourable PM Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, I haven't been rewarded with the Khel Ratna despite winning 5 Olympic medals. The Haryana government also hasn't given me Rs 8 crore, as per its policy. My only crime is that I am a deaf and mute athlete. Jay Hind."
The wrestler, an Arjuna awardee, didn't mince words in criticizing the Haryana government for allegedly not fulfilling its promise of a Rs 8 crore reward, as per their policy.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the awardees, saying, "Congratulations to the illustrious winners of the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2023. Their remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication are an inspiration to our nation. They have not only excelled in their respective fields but also raised India's flag high on the global stage."
Star badminton men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award during the ceremony.
