The demonstrators asserted that the WFI’s two suspensions had left the wrestling world in a state of stagnation since January 2023, permanently postponing national camps and tournaments.
On Wednesday, teenage wrestlers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh protested in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, waving placards that said, “UWW, save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers.” They shouted abuse at Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, saying they were sabotaging their wrestling careers.
The junior wrestlers stated that they lost an important year in their athletic careers as a result of last year’s protests against charges of sexual harassment made against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
At Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday, teenage wrestlers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh expressed their dissatisfaction by waving posters that read, “UWW, save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers.” Clerical attacks were directed on Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, accusing them of impeding their professional wrestling endeavors.
A key year in their athletic careers was lost, according to junior wrestlers, as a result of protests staged last year over allegations of sexual harassment against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.The demonstrators asserted that the WFI’s two suspensions had left the wrestling world in a state of stagnation since January 2023, permanently postponing national camps and tournaments. After five years of practice, Lakshmi from Mathura stated, “Senior wrestlers should promote and foster promotion of the sport, but they are hindering it…Do they really think we can make it to the Olympics without competing in championships because there haven’t been any for the past year?
Since the protests last year, wrestling has stopped. Many of us had been assiduously preparing for the under-15 championships, where I was scheduled to compete. Why are they denying aspiring wrestlers this chance? questioned Dadri, Uttar Pradesh resident Anushka Pandit, 15, who participated in the demonstration.
Hours after junior wrestlers staged a protest, the nation’s ad hoc commission overseeing wrestling matters declared on Wednesday that the U15 and U20 National championships will be conducted in six weeks.
“We wanted to compete in the world championships, but without the notoriety that comes with winning national titles, how can we represent our nation? What’s the point of our preparation if these tournaments don’t happen? Senior wrestlers from Mandothi, Haryana, Joni Dalal said, “have finished their careers and aren’t considering ours.”
“We urge the removal of the ad-hoc committee and the reinstatement of WFI in charge to secure the future of these kids,” stated women’s wrestling coach Ravinder Kumar. Since the WFI lost its sovereignty, none of the tournaments—district, state, or national—are operating efficiently.
Sakshi Malik stated in another place on Wednesday that as long as Sanjay Singh, a supporter of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, is kept away from the body, she has no problems with the recently elected Wrestling Federation of India). In addition, Sakshi asked the ad hoc commission to hold age group nationals as soon as possible, stating that she did not want any young wrestlers to suffer.”These kids keep asking us when the championships would take place, but we do not have a response to offer. Many of these kids are extremely talented and deserve platforms where their talent can be displayed,” stated Monu, a coach at the Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat.
Interestingly, several of the participants had also joined from the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela, and about 300 of them were from the Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat.
