After his aide Sanjay Singh emerged victorious in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh conveyed that it was a triumph for wrestlers across the country. He expressed his hope that wrestling events would soon resume after the formation of the new federation. Sanjay Singh’s panel secured 40 votes in the election, while the opposing panel garnered only 7 votes.
Speaking to the media, Brij Bhushan emphasized that the victory was not his personal success, but a win for all wrestlers in the country. He thanked the government for their support and highlighted that the elections were held as per the instructions of the Supreme Court. He expressed his gratitude towards the court and the Centre for ensuring a non-partisan person was chosen as the president.
Brij Bhushan further mentioned that the election results sent a strong message and that every wrestling training center in the country was celebrating. He expressed his confidence that wrestling events would soon resume, and the sport would regain its dominance.
Sakshi Malik, a renowned wrestler, shared her disappointment that no woman was given a position in the new federation. She stated that the fight for women’s representation would continue, and the wrestlers of the new generation would have to keep fighting.
The WFI elections, which were initially planned for June, finally took place on December 21 after multiple postponements. Sanjay Singh, who was previously a part of the WFI executive council, was elected as the new president. The voting process occurred in New Delhi, and Sanjay Singh’s panel secured 40 votes, while the opposing panel received only 7 votes.
Brij Bhushan Singh’s tenure as the WFI chief faced criticism, with allegations of sexual harassment arising against him. Star wrestlers and Olympic medallists, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, came out against him. They accused him of harassment and called for his removal from the federation.
Earlier this month, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, along with Sakshi’s husband Satyawart Kadian, met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. They expressed their concerns and requested assurance that no one related to Brij Bhushan would hold a post in the new WFI.
The press conference to announce the election results was scheduled to be held by star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik. They had openly criticized Brij Bhushan and accused him of sexual harassment.
The election results mark a new era for the WFI, and wrestlers across the country hope for positive changes and the resumption of wrestling activities.
