'WFI members took blatant decisions': Bajrang, Vinesh and Sakshi ask UWW to reimpose ban on WFI

Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and former wrestler Sakshi Malik on Thursday wrote an open letter to the United World Wrestling (UWW), asking them to reconsider the lifting of the ban of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Vinesh, a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, accused that the WFI took "blatant decisions" to conduct sporting activities without the approval of the sports ministry, all this despite the ad hoc committee taking over wrestling activities."Respected UWW members,"I am writing this mail regarding the reinstatement of suspension of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by UWW. This decision has again put Indian wrestlers under threat and harassment by WFI members. This is to bring to your notice that this WFI was suspended by Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYAS) dated 27 December due to serious anomalies after couple of days of taking charge. MYAS also forned an Ad-Hoc Committee to overlook and conduct wrestling activities. Even after this suspended WFI members took blatant decisions to conduct sporting activities without any recognition from sports ministries under the same leadership," Punia wrote in the letter that was sent to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.“Wrestlers all over India have lost trust and belief in functioning of Wrestling Federation of India. Because of this MYAS took diligent steps and issued a circular dated January 7, 2024. Even after this they have publicly issued statements against wrestlers and Ad Hoc Committee. This elected body is still being run by same individual and their allies who have serious charges against them and MYAS also took the same in consideration while suspending the body,” he added in the letter.Vinesh, meanwhile, in her letter added: "I also want to bring your attention to the fact that Ms Sakshi Malik, Olympic bronze medallist (Rio Olympics) and CWG gold medallist (Birmingham 2022) took the decision to quit wrestling and end her career due to the kind of unsafe environment and unpredictable distress that comes with the functioning of the re-elected WFI with Mr Sanjay Singh as president".This comes a day after Sakshi and Bajrang had accused the WFI of implementing a "setting" with the UWW in order to get the ban lifted. Sakshi added that the wrestlers would have no option but restart the protest if Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan's aide, was allowed to continue as WFI president.