No ticket for Babita’s dad to watch her bout
gold coast — There was no disgruntled coach to lock him out as shown in the blockbuster movie Dangal but Mahavir Phogat still missed watching daughter Babita Phogat’s silver-winning campaign at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday after he could not lay his hands on tickets to get inside the venue.
The legendary coach, whose life story has achieved cult status owing to the success of Dangal, was here to watch defending goldmedallist Babita compete in the 53kg category. However, he could only wait outside as his daughter grappled inside the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre here.
“My father came for the first time to watch my bout and I am sad that he has been here since morning but could not get tickets. An athlete is entitled to two tickets but we have not even been given those. I tried so much, but he had to sit outside. He couldn’t watch it here and he couldn’t watch it on TV either,” Babita said.
Mahavir Phogat finally managed to make it inside when the Australian wrestling team came to Babita’s aid and offered two tickets to her.
“He managed to come inside after I asked the Australian team for a couple of passes. They helped me get him into the arena. I had requested everyone, whether it’s the IOA or chef-demission, I was requesting till 10pm yesterday even though I had bouts today and I had to rest,” Babita said.
“It makes you feel bad. I spoke to everyone, including chef-demission,” he added.
Chef-de-mission Vikram Sisodia said the tickets marked for wrestlers had been given to their coach Rajeev Tomar and it was upto him to distribute.