On Thursday, the Delhi government refused to honour Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Divya Kakran with a cash reward as she presents Uttar Pradesh and not Delhi.
On Sunday, the freestyle wrestler, in a tweet, had hit out at the Delhi government for not offering her any financial aid, awards or rewards despite practising and residing in the national capital for the past 20 years. According to the Delhi government, Kakran had been extended financial support in the form of cash incentives till the time she played for the state.
In a statement, the office of the deputy director of education (sports), said, “As per record she had been playing from Delhi till the year 2016-17 and she was suitably awarded cash incentives as per her performance”. The statement added that Kakran had been awarded Rs 1,99,000 between 2010 and 2017.
The Wrestling Federation of India too confirmed that Kakran was not covered under various reward schemes of the Delhi government as these schemes are meant for players who represent Delhi. The Federation also said in a statement, “The government of Delhi respects and honours each and every player in the country. Directorate of Sports will be happy to support Divya Kakran also, in case she applies for financial assistance as per procedure, as the directorate is already funding thousands of players every year under its various schemes.”
Kakran has however stated the claims of the Delhi government are untrue. She said, “By 2017, I had given Delhi 58 medals. The Delhi government never helped us. I started fighting from Uttar Pradesh in 2018.” She added that the Uttar Pradesh government has helped her a lot, and has also given her life-long pension.
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