Despite Being Resident Never Received Any Help From Delhi Government: Commonwealth Bronze Medalist Divya Kakran Calls

The Commonwealth Games are currently underway with Indian athletes bringing in medal glory for the country.

The wrestling contingent is being lauded for securing medals in all 12 weight categories.

Divya Kakran, one of the wrestlers, has won the bronze medal in women's 68-kg category in the ongoing Games in Birmingham.

She was congratulated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for winning laurels for the country. However, responding to CM’s tweet, Kakran said that despite being a resident of Delhi and winning several international events, she never received any help from the Delhi government.

In a series of tweets, she wrote that she has been a Delhi resident for the past 20 years. Her training has also taken place in the national capital. However, she has never received any monetary help or support from the state government.

This is not the first time the athlete has voiced her disappointment with the alleged lack of support from the AAP government. Back in 2018, when she had won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in the freestyle 69 kg event and was invited to a celebratory event to honour the winners hailing from Delhi by the AAP government, she had urged the state government to go beyond mere lip service when it came to encouraging sportspeople belonging to the capital.

Comparing the facilities provided by Haryana and Delhi governments, she said that the reason why athletes hailing from the former perform well is because of the constant state support provided to them.

Responding to the charges, the AAP government alleged that Kakran represents Uttar Pradesh. It added that the government will look into the matter if the wrestler has ever applied for any sports scheme.

Arjuna awardee, Kakran, hails from a humble family with limited means. Her father would make a living selling ‘langotis’. Despite facing hurdles, she never lost track of her goals and continued to give her best.