Olympian Sakshi Malik
The suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief, Sanjay Singh, has not been documented in writing, according to former wrestler Sakshi Malik. She also added that the fight of the wrestlers is not with the government.
Following recent protests by prominent wrestlers like Ms. Malik and Bajrang Punia against the appointment of an aide to the ousted WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the new president of the wrestling federation, the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the country’s top sports body and all of its office-bearers. This was a significant decision.
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The decision was made shortly after Mr. Singh declared that the U-15 and U-20 national teams would compete in Nandini Nagar in the Gond district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.
Ms. Malik told reporters, “I haven’t seen anything in writing yet,” while applauding the decision and pointing out that the ban was unclear. I’m not sure if the entire body has been suspended or just Mr. Singh. It wasn’t the government we were fighting. We battle for female wrestlers; although I’ve declared my retirement, I still want the next generation of wrestlers to be treated fairly.”
She hinted that she might reconsider her decision to retire.
“I will tell you about the decision according to the federation that would be formed,” she said.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the Sports Ministry described WFI’s choice to host the competition as showing “complete disregard to the sports code.”
“The actions made by the WFI’s newly elected executive body show a flagrant contempt for accepted legal and procedural standards, going against both the National Sports Development Code and the WFI’s constitution. With total disrespect for the Sports Code, the newly elected body seemed to be completely controlled by former office holders. The ministry further stated that the Federation’s operations are conducted from locations under the supervision of former office bearers.
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Sanjay Singh, a former WFI President Singh’s adviser, was named the new chief earlier this week.
After an hour, Ms. Malik, inconsolable and overcome with emotion, exited the arena to address a press conference in the nation’s capital and declare her retirement from professional wrestling.
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