Wrestler Cries Out on Camera After Important Poll: “Harassment Will Continue”

Bhushan Brij Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Sharan Singh, took the top spot yesterday after winning the WFI votes

New Delhi: After his assistant took over in the role, veteran wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who spearheaded the demonstrations against a previous wrestling organization chief over allegations of sexual harassment, sobbed in front of the camera.

The Wrestling Federation of India’s 12-year leader, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was forced to resign earlier this year, opening the door for new elections. Sanjay Singh, a close associate of his, won yesterday’s elections to replace him in the top position.

Following the announcement of the election results, wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat—who had been leading the protests—spoke to the media.

While Ms. Malikkh announced her retirement from the sport, Ms. Phogat stated, “Women wrestlers will continue to face harassment now that Sanjay Singh has been elected chief of the federation.”

Read also:-Rahul Gandhi Contacts Nitish Kumar Following “Kharge For PM” Call

The gold winner from the Commonwealth and Asian Games, Ms. Phogat, claimed she had “no clue how to find justice in the country.”

Although we don’t have high hopes, we do want to receive justice. The fact that wrestling’s future is unknown is depressing. Whom should we express our sorrow to? “We continue to fight,” she said in an interview with the media.

Olympic medallist Ms. Malikkh stated that they had desired a female head of the wrestling organization. But, she clarified, “that did not occur.” “We fought, but if the new president is Brij Bhushan’s aide, his business partner, then I quit wrestling,”

As she placed her boots on the table, she continued.

Sanjay Singh defeated Anita Sheoran, a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, with 40 out of 47 votes. Top wrestlers supported Singh, a six-time MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, and they rejected the charges of sexual harassment against him.

Sanjay Singh was a member of the WFI’s previous executive council and joint secretary from 2019. He has also previously held the position of vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh wrestling association.

Mohan Yadav, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, lost the election to become the vice president of the WFI.

Elections were conducted to fill the positions of president, secretary general, treasurer, five executive members, senior vice president, four vice presidents, and two joint secretaries.