Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur with wrestlers during press conference in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on January 21 has rejected all the allegations, including that of sexual harassment against its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, saying “there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement ” in the sports body.
“The WFI is managed by an elected body as per its constitution, and therefore, there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in WFI by any one individually, including the president,” the WFI said in its response to the sports ministry.
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“The WFI, in particular, under the sitting president has always acted keeping the best interests of wrestlers in mind.
“The WFI has enhanced the image of wrestling sport nationally as well as internationally and for the record of this ministry, it is not possible without fair, supportive, clean and strict management of WFI,” it added.
The WFI sent its reply on Friday evening after being asked by the sports ministry to respond to the allegations within 72 hours.
The allegations were made by renowned wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya.
Also read: Wrestlers threaten to step up protest against WFI chief
The protesting wrestlers further accused the WFI of interfering with their personal lives and exploiting them.
“When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened,” added another wrestler. Olympic medalist Punia said the wrestlers want the management of the Federation to be sacked and replaced.
Mr. Punia referred to Mr. Singh’s defence a day ago wherein the six-time MP had said that he would “hang himself even if one girl came forward to accuse him“. “Yesterday there were two girls. Now we have five to six girls who are willing to step forward with proof,” Mr. Punia told the media at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar where he and several international and Olympic medallists had gathered in protest since Tuesday.
The protesters received the support of fellow wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat, who met them on Thursday, while Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said in Chandigarh that he would meet the wrestlers when he returns to Delhi.
Two-time world medallist and three-time Commonwealth Games champion Vinesh Phogat added that if their demands were not heard, they would have to approach the police. “Earlier we had two girls and now we have 5-6 girls who are willing to share proof. If we are not heard we will go to the police and take the matter forward,” she said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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