Brimming with pride at their daughter's historic achievement at the Rio Olympics, female wrestler Sakshi Malik's parents today urged all fathers to encourage their daughters, who wants to take up sports, saying the grappler's feat should set an example for all and sundry.
"Parents support is very necessary and we have tried to give that to her in every way. When she won medals in Commonwealth game and Asian Champions, people who in the beginning used to criticise us came up to us and said your thoughts were very nice then," a proud father Subir Malik said. "I would like other girls to take inspiration from her, enter sports and do wonders," he added.
Subir said from childhood Sakshi was interested in wrestling and they had always backed her in her endeavour.
"Her grandfather was also a wrestler. She saw him and got motivated to enter this field. She never regretted her decision till date. After winning she told me that I fulfilled your wish and got the medal for the country, I was in tears. I want her to play at the Tokyo Olympics and win gold there," he said.
Sakshi's mother Sudesh Malik echoed similar sentiments. "There were many people who used to tell me in the beginning that she is a girl and why are you putting her in wrestling, there is too much hard work but I supported her. When she started getting medals people stopped speaking. Her determination paid off and we were always there to support her. I want to see her winning a gold at the 2020 Olympics and we will give her all the support she needs," Sudesh said.