It seems like, it has become a norm for India to get embroiled in a host of controversies just before any big sporting event. This Paris Olympics 2024 seems to be no different. As per a report in the The Tribune, Indian boxing team’s masseur, Vijay Kamboj is being forced out of the Games village to accommodate Prakash Padukone, shuttler PV Sindhu’s coach/mentor, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s personal coach.
The report further states that Vijay Kamboj will stay in a hotel, and will have to travel to the Games Village or the North Paris Arena, whenever his services are needed by the Indian men’s boxers. The move could be a result of the controversy that had started after Vinesh had claimed after her Tokyo 2020 loss, that the reason behind her failure was, the absence of her physiotherapist.
“We have somehow made a system where stars’ demands are always met and we ignore other athletes. Prakash and the wrestling coach could have been housed outside and still could enter the Village through daily passes,” a source told The Tribune.
“The masseur was needed with the team in the Village but like I said stars’ needs will always be prioritised even if it hurts others,” added the source. Having said that, the masseur will continue to get the dearness allowance and meal allowance.