Asian Games 2018: Bronze Medal-Winning Wrestler Divya Kakran Slams Arvind Kejriwal For Lack Of Support

Divya Kakran wrestled her way to an Asian Games bronze in the freestyle 69 kg event by defeating Chen Wenling. But it was not an easy journey for the Delhi wrestler.

She comes from a humble background and her father used to sell langots to support his family. Even when Divya won the national championship her father was selling langots outside the stadium. But the 20-year-old, who is determined to achieve greater heights in wrestling, has finally managed to change her family's fortunes after her bronze medal feat at the Games.

However, the fact that she was not provided any help by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government during her quest for a medal at the Games has left her disappointed and she let her feelings known after returning back home from Indonesia. The Delhi wrestler revealed that she had requested for help from the state government while preparing for the Games but was never provided any assistance. Her written appeal too was ignored and she was left dejected.

"At times I didn't even have enough glucose to quench my thirst after practice, but I had the determination to do something and big so I would drink water and get back on the mat," Divya told ABP News in an interview.

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"When I was preparing for the Asian Games, we had approached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for help, I told him about my torrid financial condition they even assured me of help but to no avail. Till date I haven't received any support from the Delhi government," she added.

During an interaction with him at the Delhi Secretariat, the wrestler said the city government offered her help only after she won the medal, but no assistance came her way ¡°at the time of need¡±.

¡°I won the medal in Commonwealth Games and you called me and assured me help...when I asked help to prepare for the Asian Games, it (the help) did not come. I gave in writing, but no one even answered my call,¡± Kakran said.

She appealed the chief minister to help poor children.

¡°Although I am poor, I have the fire to do something in wrestling. If you will support, it will be very good,¡± the bronze-medallist said.

Taking another dig at the Kejriwal-led dispensation, Kakran said athletes from neighbouring Haryana shone in the Asian Games because they received support from their state.

¡°Just see how many Haryana athletes have won because they have support,¡± she told the chief minister.

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Divya lives in Delhi's Gokulpur with the rest of her family. There were days before her Asian Games feat that she would be deprived of proper diet and infrastructure but a tough character that she is, she never gave up. Her neighbours would tell her family members to not send their daughter into wrestling but her father supported her throughout.

While in Haryana, athletes who won medals at the Asian Games are being lauded and rewarded huge cash prizes, Divya's feat remains to be recognized by the Delhi government. She revealed how the likes of Anil Kapoor and PM Narendra Modi sent out congratulatory messages for her but there was nothing from CM Kejriwal. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced Rs 20 lakh cash prize for the wrestler.