Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Olympian wrestler and Congress MLA from Julana, Vinesh Phogat, has raised serious concerns over the ranking tournament announced by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). She questioned the fairness of hosting the competition in Uttar Pradesh at a venue linked to former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Phogat stated that organizing the tournament at such a location could make it extremely difficult for deserving athletes to get their due. She alleged that there is a possibility of influence over key aspects of the competition, including selection of referees, allocation of points, and even deciding match outcomes.
Speaking on the issue, Phogat recalled that three years ago, she and other women wrestlers had raised their voices against alleged sexual harassment. The case is currently pending in court. She revealed that six female wrestlers had filed complaints and testified, adding that she herself is one of the victims.
Phogat acknowledged that the Supreme Court of India guidelines prohibit disclosure of a victim’s identity, but said she chose to publicly identify herself due to compelling circumstances. She confirmed that witness testimonies in the case are ongoing.
Meanwhile, her childhood coach and uncle, Mahavir Phogat, has come out in her support. He said that despite a prolonged protest movement against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, there has been little meaningful change within the federation. He further alleged that the current WFI chief, Sanjay Singh, is merely acting as a proxy for the former president.
The controversy has once again brought the spotlight on governance, transparency, and athlete safety within Indian wrestling.
