Sports ministry summons Wrestling Federation of India for explanation on sexual harassment claims
Sakshi Malik (Image Credit: Twitter)
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been accused of sexual harassment by Vinesh Phogat. She made this shocking revelation while she, alongside Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik have been protesting against the wrestling body. While the likes of Malik and Punia have other grievances, Phogat has raised a serious issue. She claimed that the WFI president sexually harassed many girls.
The India wrestler spoke about her experiences with the wrestling body post-Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She claims that she was mentally tortured and added that the coaches are also harassing women and misbehaving with other coaches. Phogat further added that she was thinking about ending her life after the fiasco. Another wrestler has claimed that the association also interfers with the personal lives of athletes.
“Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”
“After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, WFI president called me a ‘khota sikka’. The Federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame,” Phogat added.
“When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened,” added another wrestler.
Sports Ministry demands an explanation from the Wrestling Federation of India
Taking notice of the matter, the sports ministry, headed by Anurag Thakur has asked the WFI to give an explanation on the matter. The body has been asked to deliver its explanation within 72 hours. Failing to do so will invite an action according to the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
