New Delhi [India], January 18: 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia said that the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship in the sports and will hold a press conference to reveal everything related to the protest. Ace Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat and others staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), alleging "harassment of wrestlers by WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations." Wrestling Federation of India Finds ‘Power Boosting Injections’ in Stadiums During Major Local Competitions, To Take Up the Matter Seriously.
Bajrang Punia said that the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship in the sports and will hold a press to reveal everything related to the protest. "Wrestlers don't want to tolerate the ongoing dictatorship. We'll hold a press conference b/w 3-4 pm and reveal everything there," Bajrang Punia told ANI. Olympic medalists Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia are among the Indian wrestlers present at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest against the arrogance of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Aman Sehrawat Wins Gold Medal, Scripts History! 18-Year-Old Becomes First Indian Wrestler To Win Gold at U23 World Wrestling Championships.
The first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat, expressed her displeasure with the Federation's management by tweeting about it on social media. "The player wants self-respect and prepare for the Olympics and big games with full vigor, but if the federation does not support them, the morale breaks down. But now we will not bow down. Will fight for our rights," she wrote in a tweet.
Vinesh Phogat Expressed Concerns
खिलाड़ी आत्मसम्मान चाहता है और पूरी शिद्दत के साथ ओलंपिक और बड़े खेलो के लिए तैयारी करता है लेकिन अगर फेडरेशन उसका साथ ना दे मनोबल टूट जाता है।लेकिन अब हम नही झुकेंगे।अपने अधिकारों के लिए लड़ेंगे।#BoycottWFIPresident#BoycottWrestlingPresident@PMOIndia @narendramodi @AmitShah
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 18, 2023
The Federation required all wrestlers, regardless of their position, to appear in trials, which is likely a reason for the protest. "Sportspersons work hard to win medals for the country, but the Federation has done nothing but let us down. Players are being harassed by imposing arbitrary laws," Sakshi Malik tweeted.