Indian wrestler Sakshee Malikkh announced her retirement on Thursday, as Sanjay Singh, also known as 'Bablu,' a close associate and business partner of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, secured victory as the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Sakshee Malikkh, India's only female wrestler with an Olympic medal was a prominent figure in the wrestlers' protest, she played a leading role in demanding action against Brij Bhushan in light of sexual harassment allegations raised by six female grapplers.
Expressing discontent, she remarked, "If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling." Malikkh said "We slept for 40 days on the roads, and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us."
Fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia expressed support for Sakshee Malikkh, stating, "It's unfortunate that the government did not uphold its commitment that no Brij Bhushan loyalist would contest the WFI election."
Sakshee, teary eyed, expressed her desire for a female president, stating, "We wanted a female president, but that did not happen," conveying her disappointment with the election outcome as she put her shoes on the table.
Photo: Hindustan Times
Sanjay Singh commented “ will Respond Politics with Politics, Wrestling with Wrestling”
Sanjay Singh, addressing reporters after his victory, said, "It's a triumph for thousands of wrestlers in the country who suffered in the past 7-8 months,"
Singh assured fairness to the protesting wrestlers, stating, "There will be no partiality. All will get support from WFI." "We have to look after the game and not the mistakes of the wrestlers. If they will suffer due to their mistakes, then the federation will not be impartial."
In response to inquiries about politics within the federation, Sanjay asserted, "We will respond to politics with politics and wrestling with wrestling." Singh welcomed those interested in wrestling and also acknowledged that individuals inclined towards politics should pursue that path.
Sanjay took a dig at notable Indian wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, and world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat. These athletes had been part of a protest against the controversial figure Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh since December of the previous year.
He commented “Jinko kushti karni hai woh kushti karein. Jinko rajneeti karni hain woh rajneeti karein. Rajneeti ka jawaab rajneeti ke akhade main diya jaayega (Those wrestlers who want to compete, they should wrestle. Those who want to do politics, should do politics. Those who want to indulge in politics, will be answered in the political arena).”
Additionally, Singh outlined his intentions to the media, detailing plans for national competitions targeting under-20 and under-15 wrestlers scheduled in Gonda from December 28 to 30. He stressed that the junior nationals would take place before the end of the year.
As a report revealed that earlier this week, Bajrang and Sakshi had met with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to urge him to persuade Sanjay to withdraw from the WFI chief's election.
Sanjay responded, stating, "Nobody should interfere with elections of a federation if it is happening in a democratic manner. Till now, nobody has asked me to withdraw my name. I have been associated with the Wrestling Federation of India for nearly 12 years. I want to work hard to ensure that the WFI returns to the heights, which our parliamentarian-president (Brij Bhushan) had taken it to."
Photo: the Indian Express
Sanjay Singh, hailing from Varanasi and serving as the vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh wrestling association, secured a substantial 40 votes. Conversely, Anita Sheoran, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler and a crucial witness in a sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan, obtained only seven votes in the election.
Sanjay will assume the role of WFI chief, succeeding the controversial Brij Bhushan. Brij Bhushan stepped aside following protests led by top Indian wrestlers like Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh, who leveled serious allegations, including sexual assault, against the multiple-time Member of Parliament. The chargesheet filed by Delhi Police found the BJP MP from Kaiserganj liable for prosecution on charges of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking of women wrestlers.
In the evening to celebrate the victory, Brij Bhushan, demonstrating his continued influence in the country's wrestling scene, engaged in a closed-door meeting lasting an hour with the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) office-bearers, including Singh, and his supporters at a five-star city hotel.
Candidates from Sheoran's panel, Prem Chand Lochab and Devender Singh Kadian, achieved success in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections. Lochab, formerly the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) secretary, took on the role of secretary general, succeeding the incumbent V N Prasood. Kadian, representing Haryana, claimed one of the senior vice-president positions.
Brij Bhushan's faction dominated by winning all four other vice-president posts, and Satyapal Singh Deswal from Uttarakhand assumed the role of the new treasurer. Additionally, all five executive committee members were aligned with the outgoing chief's camp.
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