By IANS,
Chandigarh : “Oye chhore, Vijender” (Hey lad, Vijender), Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda roared in his native tongue as state boxer Vijender Kumar Wednesday won his quarterfinal bout at the Olympics to move into the last four stage of the middleweight event and assure himself of a medal.
Hooda immediately announced a Rs.5 million (Rs.50 lakh) reward for Vijender and also said that the pugilist would be made a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in the Haryana Police.
“We will do everything to encourage these sportsmen and to encourage disciplines like boxing in the state. We will open a boxing academy in Bhiwani to encourage more youngsters to take to this sport,” Hooda said.
Hooda witnessed the match on TV with his close aides at his residence here.
The chief minister said the three boxers from Haryana’s Bhiwani town had brought glory to the country by advancing to the quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympics.
While the other two, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, lost their bouts earlier, Vijender’s victory in the 75-kg category made people forget the earlier losses.
“Victory and loss are part of the game. Even those two boxers did well to reach the quarterfinals. Vijender’s performance is also great,” Hooda said.