Wrestlers’ agitation continues with divisions among ranks

Gonda (UP): While the wrestlers agitation continued at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, some senior wrestlers indicated futility of the tirade and a political hue is clear from their ranks. Questions were raised over coaches’ silence, if any misbehavior was done with women wrestlers as alleged, by the WFI President. The agitation at an hour when the elections to the WFI and State bodies were due in a few days. Though wrestlers are adamant about having WFI President’s scalp, the latter is adamant and seeking proof and ready to face a probe into allegations.

President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Kaisarganj Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will release his formal statement on the ongoing tussle between him and the wrestlers on January 22.
Singh’s son and MLA from Sadar seat Prateek Bhushan said on Friday that the WFI president will release his statement after consulting the office-bearers of the federation on January 22. He said that the reply to the notice given by the Union Sports Ministry has been sent.
Earlier in the day, amidst ongoing protest by the wrestlers in New Delhi, WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh attacked wrestler Vinesh Phogat and said that a conspiracy has been done with him, which he will reveal to the media. “I have not fled to a foreign country, I am very much here,” he said.
He said he has no dialogue with the government so far. “A conspiracy has been done with me and I will reveal it in the evening,” he said.
The WFI president said that 300 wrestlers will be participating in the championship. “I am not going anywhere till January 23, I will remain in the stadium,” he said. (UNI)