Maharashtra Sports Minister Vinod Tawde criticizes Shobaa De remarks on Indian athletes

Maharashtra Sports Minister Vinod  Tawde today criticized remarks of the author Shobhaa De  regarding Olympics. He said in his statement that she has insulted Indian athletes by mocking that they had gone to Rio Olympics to take selfies and came back empty-handed.

Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity.

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) 8 August 2016

He said Only the person who has managed to reach the Olympics knows the hard work and efforts that go into qualifying for the sports event. Saying such a thing about the players is an insult. Tawde who also holds Higher and Technical Education portfolios. De had earlier criticised the Indian athletes in a tweet and said their aim was only to click selfies and return without any medal.

The tweet angered many popular personalities who slammed and trolled her. Following the backlash De had come up with another tweet putting the blame on officials and not on the athletes.

Official apathy main reason why we fare so poorly during every Olympics, not just Rio. Difficult for athletes to 'compete' with this hurdle.

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) 9 August 2016

She tweeted saying Official apathy main reason why we do so poor in every Olympics not in just Rio. Difficult for athletes to compete without any facilities.