Wrestling
Wrestling Federation of India President slaps wrestler on stage
The president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, drew flak after he slapped a wrestler on the stage during the Under-15 National Wrestling Championship.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing president of the Wrestling Federation of India. (Photo credit: WFI)
The president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, drew flak after he slapped a wrestler from Uttar Pradesh on the stage during the first round of the Under-15 National Wrestling Championship at Shaheed Ganpat Rai Indoor Stadium.
Wrestlers from other states including Uttar Pradesh protested strongly and demanded an apology from the WFI president. However, Jharkhand Wrestling Association president Bhola Nath Singh and others intervened and pacified the matter.
During the age verification, a wrestler from Uttar Pradesh was found to be above 15 years of age. He was stopped from participating in the competition. However, the wrestler first lodged a complaint and then stepped onto the stage and started arguing with the WFI president.
Later, the wrestler insisted he to step into the ring. Singh tried to pacify him and asked the wrestler to step down from the stage. He refused to do so and continued shouting on the stage. After that, the WFI president lost his temper and slapped the wrestler in front of everyone.
After the incident, Singh said that no one will tolerate indiscipline, and if the wrestler would have participated in the competition despite his overage, then it would have left a bad impression on other wrestlers.
Bhola Nath Singh also said that overage wrestlers taking part in competitions for younger wrestlers is a big problem and sports authorities should acknowledge this issue and try to stop this practice.
