Wrestlers Protest: WFI chief to hold a press conference
Wrestler Protest: Ahead of the hour–long meeting between wrestlers and the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday, the meeting would resume today again, said the sources. The wrestlers refused to back down from their demand that the government immediate resignation of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Ahead of the allegations, the WFI chief, Brij Bhushan will address the media at 12.00 Pm today at Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to hold a press conference at 12 pm today at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/ZKML2B4PYq
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
Wrestlers meet the authorities
Amid the ongoing protest, the marathon meeting began around 10 pm on Thursday and continued till 1:45 am, but failed to find any solution.
Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Sakshi Malik and world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat were part of the meeting.
In a tweet, news agency ANI wrote, “Delhi | Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya and other wrestlers leave from the residence of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. They met the minister in connection with their protest and allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).”
Delhi | Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya and other wrestlers leave from the residence of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur
They met the minister in connection with their protest and allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) pic.twitter.com/e4L3CYW38x
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
Also Read: Divya Karan came forward to defend WFI Chief Brij Bhushan
Wrestler’s Protest At Jantar Mantar
Several wrestlers including the star wrestler Vinesh Phogat are protesting at Jantar Mantar for 3rd consecutive day. The wrestlers have been protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment. The protesters said that they will continue their sit-in till they get justice.
“If the sports minister gives us the time we will like to meet him and present our concerns to him. If we cannot do so, we will definitely take this up with our PM. The protest will continue until we get justice and we will not leave this place,” Vinesh Phogat said.
She said that WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh “has a network of aides everywhere, so we can’t trust anyone”.
Moreover, the star wrestler said that FIR will be filed if appropriate action is not taken on their charges. “If action is not taken, FIR will be lodged by 5-6 girls,” she said.
“We want seniors who have represented India in the Olympics or the Asian Games to be office-bearers in WFI as they have knowledge of wrestling. We have confidence in the government. It should dissolve the WFI,” Phogat said.
“Unfortunately, we have not yet received any concrete solution or assurance regarding the presiding actions. We will ensure that the WFI president resigns…we want legal action,” she said demanding the resignation of the WFI chief.
