HARYANA: Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who has been actively involved in the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, stated on Saturday that the protesting wrestlers will only participate in the upcoming Asian Games once their “issues get resolved.”
Speaking at the Mahapanchayat held in Sonipat, Haryana, Sakshi Malik expressed the wrestlers’ stance, saying, “We will participate in Asian Games only when all these issues will be resolved. You can’t understand what we’re going through mentally each day.”
The Asian Games 2023 are scheduled to take place in China in September. However, the potential withdrawal of wrestlers from the tournament could have a significant impact on India’s performance, as Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat were gold medalists in the last Asian Games held in 2018.
Earlier in the day, Olympian Bajrang Punia also emphasized the wrestlers’ intent to discuss their concerns with the government before the supporters at the Mahapanchayat. “Whatever talks we had with the Indian government, we will discuss that with those people who are supporting and standing beside us,” Punia told ANI.
Talks with Protesting Wrestlers
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had said on Thursday that the talks with the protesting wrestlers were positive, and decisions were made on several demands. “It was a positive discussion with the protesting wrestlers. All their issues were discussed seriously. We have said that the chargesheet will be filed by June 15, and the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) elections will be held by June 30. For the players, the Internal Complaint Committee will be formed, and a woman player or an official will be made its chairperson,” Thakur told reporters.
Thakur also mentioned that two coaches had been proposed by the wrestlers to be included in the adhoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). “They will be made its members,” he confirmed.
Thakur expressed the hope that the wrestlers would communicate the outcome of the talks to their supporters. “We also want the players to return to the mat soon and participate in competitions ahead,” he added.
The wrestlers had met with Anurag Thakur on Wednesday following a renewed offer by the government for dialogue. Delhi Police is currently conducting an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP MP, following the registration of an FIR.
