Wrestling
Sports Ministry suspends WFI Asst. Sec.— Live Updates- Wrestlers v WFI
India wrestlers led by Bajrang Punia have called off their indefinite protest against WFI.
Wrestlers announce an indefinite protest in New Delhi from Wednesday
Three days after India's top wrestlers including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia started an indefinite protest against the arrogance of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and levelled sexual harassments allegations, the protest has been called off.
Punia said that the protest has been called off after assurance from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. WFI President Brij Bushan Sharan Singh has also been asked to step aside from his post till the time the probe is conducted.
Live Updates:
Live Updates
- 18 Jan 2023 11:46 AM GMT
WFI rushes in to salvage situation
The WFI President is on his way to the protests to meet the wrestlers.
"Don't know what this is all about. However, we came to know from the letter to the WFI president that some wrestlers are sitting in protest. I have come to ask them about their problem," WFI secretary Vinod Tomar says. "They haven't yet told me what their grouse is. No issue has been raised with me or the Federation as yet," he added.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:40 AM GMT
'Sad to see Bajrang at protest'
"It’s sad to see Bajrang Punia at Jantar Mantar after bringing such glory for the country and not getting support," boxer Vijender Singh tells The Bridge regarding the protests.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:26 AM GMT
'My foreign coach was abused'
'The WFI president calls me khota sikka. The federation gets us negative media coverage. After Tokyo Olympics, he has threatened us so much. My foreign coach was abused and told he ate money of our country. No foreign coach wants to come to India,' says Vinesh.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:24 AM GMT
Sexual harassment allegations by Vinesh
'I can name more than 10 girls who were harnessed and molested during national camps. But nobody comes forward due to fear. Girls sitting here have also faced this. Few coaches who are dear to the federation exploit girls,' says Vinesh Phogat.
READ | Vinesh Phogat alleges sexual harassment of women wrestlers by WFI President
- 18 Jan 2023 11:21 AM GMT
'Won't participate in competitions till WFI president is removed'
'Our demand is change the federation and remove the WFI president. If he is not removed we won't participate in any competition. The protest will continue till this measure is taken,' says Bajrang.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:19 AM GMT
'Where is the money?'
'Tata Motors has sponsored us since 2018 but where is the money? Now they are saying private sponsors will also come through the federation. If they never gave the money from Tata Motors, how will they give the money from private sponsors?' says Bajrang.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:17 AM GMT
'WFI President abuses players'
India (WFI) president and BJP’s MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh abuses players and mentally harasses them, says Bajrang Punia.
- 18 Jan 2023 11:14 AM GMT
Explosive accusations by wrestlers
Ace Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and others are staging a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), alleging “harassment of wrestlers by WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations.”
Bajrang Punia said that the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship in the sports and will hold a press conference at 4 pm to reveal everything.
Following is what they revealed:
