Holding up banners studying ‘UWW, save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers,’ younger wrestlers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh voiced their grievances at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. They chanted slogans in opposition to Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, whom they alleged have been hindering their wrestling careers.
The junior wrestlers claimed that protests held final yr, over accusations of sexual harassment in opposition to Ex WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have led to the lack of an important yr of their sporting journeys.
The tumult within the wrestling fraternity stemmed from the suspension of the newly-elected wrestling physique by the ministry, citing alleged improprieties linked to Brij Bhushan’s affiliate, Sanjay Singh. Amidst the turmoil, the Ministry of Sports activities has established an ad-hoc panel on December 27 to stir the game.
Since January 2023, the wrestling panorama has been mired in a standstill, with nationwide camps and competitions placed on indefinite maintain as a result of WFI’s twin suspensions, the protestors claimed. Lakshmi from Mathura who has been practising the game for the final 5 years mentioned, “Senior wrestlers ought to assist and foster promotion of the game, as a substitute they’re discouraging it…No championships have taken place since final one yr, do they anticipate us to achieve the Olympics with out taking part in championships?”
“Wrestling has come to a halt for the reason that protests final yr. I used to be set to compete on the under-15 nationals, and many people had diligently ready for it. Why are they denying younger wrestlers the chance?” requested 15-year-old Anushka Pandit, who joined the protest from Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.
The ad-hoc panel, managing wrestling affairs within the nation, on Wednesday introduced organisation of U15 and U20 Nationwide championships inside six weeks, hours after junior wrestlers held a protest.
“We had aspirations of competing on the world championships, however how can we characterize our nation with out the publicity of nationwide championships? What’s the purpose of our preparation if these tournaments don’t occur? Senior wrestlers have accomplished their careers and aren’t contemplating ours,” Joni Dalal from Mandothi, Haryana mentioned.
Ravinder Kumar, a girls’s wrestling coach, mentioned, “To safe the way forward for these children, we urge the removing of the ad-hoc committee and the reinstatement of WFI in cost. District, state, nationwide tournaments – none are operating easily for the reason that WFI misplaced its autonomy.”
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Sakshi Malik mentioned that she has no points with the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India if Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Singh is avoided the physique. Sakshi additionally requested the ad-hoc panel to conduct age group nationals on the earliest, saying that she doesn’t need any younger wrestler undergo.
Monu, a coach on the Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat mentioned, “These children maintain asking us when the championships would happen however we do not need a response to supply, many of those children are extraordinarily gifted and deserve platforms the place their expertise will be displayed.”
Notably, round 300 members hailed from the Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat, whereas many others had additionally joined from the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela.
(With PTI inputs)