Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have voiced their opinions against the suspended WFI chief Sanjay Singh, who according to the nation’s top wrestlers flouted the laws following the Sports Ministry of the wrestling body a couple of days after they were elected into office.
Punia stated that Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, managed to lift his ban after correspondence with the UWW and had also organised a parallel national tournament despite the warnings of the sports ministry.
The 29-year-old wrestler said opined that Sanjay Singh’s intention behind such activities was to ensure his hold on the federation.
Punia, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, shared a video on his social media handle stating, “We came to know yesterday that Sanjay Singh has managed to lift the ban on WFI and reinstated himself as its president.”
“First, when WFI was suspended, he’s still organising a national championship in Pune. After that, he’s holding elections in state federations. He’s misusing the federation funds despite it being suspended. He’s putting himself ahead of the government. They want to maintain their hold over the federation to keep our sisters and daughters from ever raising their voices again,” he continued.
“2-3 days back they appointed Brij Bhushan’s son as UP federation chief despite him saying nobody from his family will be associated with wrestling. Third, the government promised us they were with us and Brij Bhushan’s associates and family members will not be allowed anywhere near the federation,” the 29-year-old added.
“I don’t have to tell you how they acted on December 21. I request the government to take a decision. We will talk to everyone who was part of our protest in the coming days. We request the government to not force us to turn to protest again,” Punia said in his video message.
Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi, who hung up her bots in protest of the election of Sanjay Singh into power, also chimed in on the issue.
“Post the events of December 21, the government suspended Sanjay Singh as WFI president. We welcomed the appointment of the ad-hoc committee which conducted nationals admirably,” Malik said.
“After that, Brij Bhushan and Sanjay Singh began flouting the law. They held parallel nationals, threatened coaches and referees, and misused the federation fund. Brij Bhushan and Sanjay Singh have left no stone unturned to show they are above the government and the rule of law.”
“Yesterday, we came to know that Sanjay Singh has struck a deal with UCC to resume his duties,” Malik added.
Malik requested the government to permanently bar Sanjay Singh and threatened a resumption of the protest against the federation, which stirred up a storm last year, otherwise
“Our protest has been suspended. However, I cannot tolerate Brij Bhushan and his men running the federation and harassing our girls,” she asserted.
“In the coming days, we will meet with the people involved in the protest to decide on a future course of action. I request the government to permanently bar Brij Bhushan and his men from the federation and appoint someone capable into the role otherwise we will have to resume our protest,” Malik concluded.
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