Young Taekwondo Athlete's Bribe Allegation Sparks Controversy

Aug 13, 2026

49 min

Aug 13, 2026 11:32

Taekwondo athlete alleges bribe demand, complains to Uttarakhand CM

## Allegation and Clarification

Shayra, a 17-year-old Taekwondo athlete from Uttarakhand, recently brought attention to an alleged bribe demand during a public event with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. She claimed she couldn't participate in an international tournament in Romania due to financial constraints.

Initially, Shayra's emotional account suggested she was asked to pay Rs150,000, sparking political controversy with the Congress party alleging corruption. However, Shayra later clarified in a video that the amount was not a bribe but part of the travel expenses she needed to cover herself.

## Government's Response

The Uttarakhand government issued a statement saying the situation was misrepresented and no government official demanded money from Shayra. The organization involved had agreed to cover Rs170,000, leaving Shayra to arrange the remaining Rs150,000.

## Broader Implications

This incident highlights the challenges young athletes face in securing financial support for international competitions. Despite the clarification, the episode raises questions about the adequacy of support systems for promising athletes like Shayra.

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