Amidst the Olympics fever Abhimanyu Dasani calls out people 'feeling proud' of athletes wins says 'You don't have the right'

Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu is being celebrated widely across social media after she registered India’s first win at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 recently. While several netizens expressed a feeling of pride as the weightlifter won a silver medal, actor Abhimanyi Dasani called out such cheerleaders of athletes in his recent tweets.

The Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota actor spelled out the meaning of pride and took a jibe at people ‘feeling proud’ after an athlete’s win. In a series of tweets he wrote, “To all the bandwagon clout chasing sports fans that come out of their holes to be "proud" of athletes when they win. Here is the meaning of proud. Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is CLOSELY associated.”

Abhimanyu further said that people who didn’t support these athletes before their win have no right to be proud. “If you weren’t cheering for them when they were grinding blood sweat and tears on their fields or in their gyms You dont have the right to be proud of them, you can be happy for them. Start investing directly/indirectly into their journeys to earn that right. Be a real fan.”

The actor’s tweets met with a response from actor Gulshan Devaiah who argued that it is difficult for people to invest in an athlete’s journey when you don’t know them. He, however, agreed with his views on the feeling of pride. “It’s difficult for everyone to invest in someone’s journey if they don’t know them to begin with…but I support your views about “pride” For me pride is strictly reserved for personal choices and achievements only,” tweeted Gulshan in response.

Abhimanyu then clarified his messaging and added, “I meant ... Just watch their games maybe tweet about them before they win. Don't have to literally put down money or infrastructure to help them grow. Even a few nice words go a long way when you're down. Specially by strangers appreciating you.”