Vijender Singh said yet to sign contract, only gave consent: DGP
In a twist to the ongoing controversy over boxer Vijender Singh turning professional, the Haryana DGP on Thursday said that the boxer had denied having signed the contract to turn professional and had reportedly only given his consent to do so. Vijender’s decision to turn professional had raised questions over whether he could continue as a deputy superintendent of police in the Haryana Police.
“Vijender met me today. I told him that he is a government employee and since he had gone abroad without seeking prior permission from the state government, it was a violation of his service rules. He said he had to leave urgently and could not seek prior permission. He added that he will apply for post-facto approval. I told him that he can do that and we shall see whether to consider it. I also told Vijender that since he had signed a contract abroad, it is also a violation of his service rules. To that, Vijender replied that he had not signed the contract as yet. He added that he had only given his consent for signing the contract. Vijender added that he shall seek government’s prior permission before signing the contract,” DGP Y P Singhal told The Indian Express.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist had sparked off a row after reportedly agreeing to sign the contract with the UK-based Queensbury Promotions that would enable him to turn professional. In a press conference in London on Monday, Vijender and Queensbury Promotions head Frank Warren along with Neerav Tomar, MD and CEO, IOS Sports and Entertainment announced a multi-year deal which will see Vijender participate in a minimum of six bouts a year in the professional circuit.
On Thursday, the boxer met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Sports Minister Anil Vij and DGP Singhal to explain his “factual” position on the issue.
CM’s official residence here on Thursday morning; the meeting lasted for 30 minutes. Sources said Khattar asked Vijender to meet Sports Minister Anil Vij and explain his position. Vijender then went to Haryana Civil Secretariat and met Vij before meeting DGP YP Singhal.
“I informed the state government about my decision of turning professional and told him that I had not broken any rule or regulations. I sought exemption on the basis of playing and if the state government thinks I have broken any rule, I am ready to face the consequences,” Vijender told the media at the Haryana secretariat after meeting Vij.
On the other hand, Vij said: “I am hurt by Vijender’s decision to turn professional. The decision about working as DSP and granting him the permission to play as a professional would be taken by the state Cabinet and Home Ministry. We will soon take a decision regarding this”.
