As athletes struggle, Haryana's sports minister gives ₹50 lakh to religious sect

Haryana's Sports Minister Anil Vij hit headlines after he donated Rs. 50 lakh from his discretionary fund to a religious group for promoting sports.

The politician made this announcement during his visit to Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters at Sirsa on Saturday night where he witnessed a sporting event named ‘Tiranga Rumaal Chu’.  The game has been introduced by controversial Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was present when Anil announced the grant.

The minister, who has described the game as a combination of kabaddi, kho-kho and wrestling, has found it very "interesting." Meanwhile, the Dera chief said that the money will be used to prepare their athletes for the next Olympics.

He also mentioned that a sports village will be built that will provide the best training to win gold medals at the Olympics, according to Hindustan Times.

Although the discipline of a particular sport was not revealed, reportedly the games played at the sect’s stadium are created by Gurmeet Ram Rahim himself and are not played at any national or international level.

Anil's action faced heavy criticisms. He defended himself, saying, " What is wrong with it? They run schools, sports are promoted there. I cannot give more than this. If I had more money, I would have given it,”

The sports minister had recently drawn flak for leading a big delegation, that included two MLAs, to Rio de Janeiro to 'support' Haryana’s athletes at the Olympics.