Haryana sports minister seeks apology from Bhaker but IOA chief slams him

Haryana sports minister Anil Vij Saturday demanded an apology from international shooter Manu Bhaker, disapproving the "manner" in which she expressed her displeasure at not receiving the promised cash reward of Rs 2 crore for winning a gold at 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

Bhaker, however, got support from none other than Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra who asked Vij to stop "intimidating and threatening" the shooter.

The 16-year-old Bhaker, who won multiple gold in her maiden senior World Cup, Commonwealth Games, besides the top prize at the Youth Olympics last October, on Friday reminded the Haryana sports minister of the promises made after her Youth Olympic success.

Bhaker had posted screen shots of Vij's tweets on her twitter handle, in which he had promised her cash award to the tune of Rs 2 crore on behalf of the state government.

Reacting to the tweets, Vij said: "She should have first spoken to the sports department rather than airing her issue in public domain.

"The language she used in her tweet is aimed at tarnishing the image of the state and it is in bad taste."
"Mr Anil Vij, be a man and Honor the Commitment Haryana Government made thru you as their Sports Minister and please stop intimidating the Athlete."
"Someone in Haryana is really playing with Youth Olympic games prize!!!!!."
After Bhaker won the gold medal at the Youth Olympics in October last year, Vij had tweeted: "Congratulations to Manu Bhaker for winning shooting gold in Youth Olympics. Haryana government will give a cash prize of Rs 2 crore to Manu Bhaker on her achievement. Previous governments used to pay Rs 10 lakh."