The Sports Ministry has sought a response from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) “within the next 72 hours” after top wrestlers including Olympian Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alleged gross misconduct by the sports body’s coaches and president Brij Bhushan. Is. Sharan Singh. Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, said that “women wrestlers have been molested by national coaches over the years and they have been threatened with death by WFI officials.” He along with other top Indian wrestlers led a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. Wrestlers have demanded the removal of the WFI president.
In a statement, the Center has made it clear that if the WFI does not respond in the next three days, the Sports Ministry will “initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011”. ,
“Taking note of the protest and a press conference held by wrestlers, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists, in Delhi today, in which wrestlers made serious allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the President and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) And the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from the WFI regarding mismanagement in the functioning of the federation and has directed it to reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations leveled against it. In its letter to the WFI, the ministry has said that “since the matter Concerned with the welfare of the athletes, the Ministry has taken the matter very seriously,” the Sports Ministry said in the statement.
“The ministry has further stated that if the WFI fails to submit a reply within the next 72 hours, the ministry will initiate action against the federation as per the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.”
Vinesh, Bajrang’s allegation
Rio Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, World Championship medalist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Satyawart Malik, Jitendra Kinha, Amit Dhankhar and CWG medalist Sumit Malik were among the 30 wrestlers who gathered at the famous protest site. Had happened
“It is better to die once than to die slowly everyday. We are not able to sleep at night because we do not know whether we are going to participate in the competition or not. We are going to the national camp or not. There is a suspicion that these coaches and their supporters may adulterate our food and we may turn positive during the doping test,” Vinesh Phogat told NDTV.
“So we are concerned about all these things. As president Brijbhushan ji was saying that he is innocent, I am telling you that we have sent him many mails but he has not replied to any of them. Now what should we have to go.” In his room for each and everything?”
World championship medalist and Olympian Vinesh also claimed that women wrestlers have been exploited by several coaches at a national camp in Lucknow, adding that there are some women in the camp who approach wrestlers at the behest of the WFI president .
Vinesh said, “Some coaches are close to national federations. Those coaches have exploited young girls. Don’t know how many young girls have suffered because of them.”
The 28-year-old, however, clarified that he himself had not faced such abuse but claimed that he had received death threats from officials close to him at the behest of the WFI president as he tried to attract the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Had the courage wrestling when she met him after the Tokyo Games.
“I know at least 10-20 women wrestlers who have told me about the sexual abuse they faced at the hands of the WFI president. They told me their stories. I can’t name them right now, but I can definitely reveal Am.” Addressing the media after a four-hour dharna at Jantar Mantar, Vinesh said, “If we get a chance to meet the country’s prime minister and home minister, name them.”
“I have received death threats from people who are close to the WFI president. If anything happens to any of us sitting here, only the WFI president will be responsible.”
Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, sitting with Vinesh, said the federation was being run in an arbitrary manner and they would not participate in any international event until the WFI president was removed. “Our fight is not against the government or the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It is against the WFI.”It’s an all out fight now. (It’s a fight till the end). “We will continue this protest till the removal of the WFI president,” Bajrang Punia told news agency PTI.
WFI denied the claims
WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has responded to the allegations. “I came here as soon as I came to know that the wrestlers are protesting. Is there anyone on record who can say that the federation has tampered with us?” he said at a press conference. “If you had issues like this with the federation, why didn’t anyone raise them for 10 years? Issues come up whenever rules are made.”
WFI chief Brij Bhushan said, “There is no truth in the allegations of wrestlers against me, even if a sexual harassment case is proved, I am ready to go to the gallows.” I will not leave the post of WFI President but I am ready for CBI or police investigation.
He further alleged, “There is an industrialist behind this conspiracy against me. If Vinesh received death threats then why didn’t he approach the police.”
wrestling camp canceled
The ministry has also canceled the upcoming wrestling camp for women wrestlers. “Furthermore, the Women’s National Wrestling Coaching Camp, which was scheduled to begin from January 18, 2023 at Sports Authority of India’s National Center of Excellence (NCOE) in Lucknow with 41 wrestlers and 13 coaches and support staff, stands cancelled.” ” The statement is said.
“Executive Director, NCOE Lucknow is directed to provide all facilities to the national campers who have already reported and are likely to report, till the campers depart from the centre. National Coaching Camp canceled Necessary information regarding doing so has also been sent to all the campers.
Yogeshwar Dutt, 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist wrestler has said that allegations of sexual harassment should be thoroughly investigated.
“The whole matter should be properly investigated. As I see that top wrestlers of the country have gathered at Jantar Mantar, so I think the whole matter should be investigated. I think the victims should come forward and give their Should be talked about.” voices otherwise there would be no proper conclusion,” Dutt told NDTV.
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