NEW DELHI: Olympic medallist
Bajrang Punia
has called upon the world governing body,
United World Wrestling
(UWW), to reinstate the suspension on the
Wrestling Federation of India
(
WFI
). Punia expressed concern that the revival of the Sanjay Singh-led body has once again exposed wrestlers to "threat and harassment."
On Tuesday, the UWW lifted the provisional suspension on WFI, contingent upon the national federation providing written guarantees that there would be no discriminatory actions taken against the protesting trio - Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat.
The wrestlers had raised concerns, and Punia is requesting the UWW to reconsider the decision and reinstate the suspension on WFI to safeguard the athletes from potential repercussions.
"This decision has again put Indian wrestlers under threat and harassment by WFI members," Punia wrote in his letter, shared on his social media handle 'X'.
The United World Wrestling (UWW) had initially suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on August 23 due to the failure to conduct timely elections. Following various challenges, WFI successfully organised its elections, resulting in the election of
Sanjay Singh
as the President.
"We wrestlers request you to kindly support Indian athletes against unfair practices and harassment through various means. Indian wrestlers are looking up to you for justice and their rights to fair and safe play.
"We are hopeful that you will consider our request to support clean and fair sports activities in India and take necessary actions against the WFI."
Punia sent a copy of the letter to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
The Tokyo Games bronze medallist has pointed out that the Indian Sports Ministry took action on December 27 last year by suspending the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). This decision was based on the identification of "serious anomalies within days of taking charge."
In response to the suspension, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) took proactive steps by establishing an ad-hoc committee to supervise and administer wrestling activities in the country.
"Despite these efforts, the suspended WFI members allegedly continued to make "blatant decisions and conduct sporting activities without any recognition from sports ministries, all under the same leadership.
"Wrestlers all over India have lost trust and belief in the functioning of the 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 the ad-hoc Committee. This elected body is still being run by the same individual and their allies who have serious charges against them and MYAS also took the same into consideration while suspending the body," he added.
Punia, Malik, and Vinesh Phogat had led a protest former WFI chief
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
, demanding his arrest over sexual harassment allegations.
(With PTI inputs)
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