Bajrang Punia urges UWW to reimpose suspension on WFI

Olympic medalists Malik and Bajrang Punia strongly objected to the reappointment or Sanjay Singh as the WFI president— who is a close acquaintance of Brij Bhushan, accused of sexually assaulting young female wrestlers in WFI.

Hardly two days after the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted the suspension of WFI, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia on Thursday urged world governing body UWW to reimpose suspension on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), saying reinstating the Sanjay Singh-led body has again put wrestlers under "threat and harassment".

The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Tuesday lifted the provisional suspension imposed on WFI, but with a condition that the national federation must provide written guarantees ensuring no discriminatory action against the protesting trio - Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat.

"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.

UWW had suspended WFI in August 23 for not holding elections on time. After numerous hurdles, WFI finally held its polls and Sanjay Singh was elected President.

"We wrestlers request you 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's letter read that he sent to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

The Tokyo Games bronze medallist reminded UWW that the Indian Sports Ministry had on December 27 last year suspended WFI, citing "serious anomalies within days of taking charge."

In response to the suspension, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took proactive measures by forming an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee and manage wrestling activities.

Punia's letter further read, "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 functioning of 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 Ad Hoc Committee. This elected body is still being run by same individual and their allies who have serious charges against them and MYAS also took the same in consideration while suspending the body," he added.

Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat had led a protest former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest over sexual harassment allegations.