Matter of great happiness, not about Pakistan or Haryana,’ says Saroj Devi
Chandigarh; Neeraj Chopra may have won hearts by winning the gold in Budapest on Sunday, at the World Athletics Championships. but his mom back home won widespread admiration when she eloquently answered questions about her son’s victory over Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, a special report in The Tribune, says.
On Sunday, August 28, Neeraj’s gesture towards Arshad Nadeem, when the Pakistani athlete was left without his country’s flag has won the Olympics champ a lot of hearts.
Gold medal winner Neeraj symbolically seemed to take Arshad, the silver medallist under his wings, when he shared the mantle of his flag with Arshad , since the athlete did not have his country’s (Pakistan) flag.
When a reporter questioned Saroj Devi over her son winning over the Pakistani opponent, she gave a befitting reply.
“Look, all have come to play in the field. One or the other will definitely win. So there is no question of being from Pakistan or Haryana,”, adding, “It is a matter of happiness. Even if that Pakistani had won, there would’ve been great happiness,” she said.
Someone commented, “This Family really is Gold.” Another said, “With a mom like that, it’s no wonder he turned out to be such a champion.”
When asked about Chopra’s plans of marriage, she said, “It will happen when his heart wants. He is focused on the sport and we cannot force him to do anything. He will marry when he wants to.”
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