'Focus On Sports, Accept Results Of Democratic Election': Haryana CM Tells Wrestlers On New WFI Chief

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aid Sanjay Singh was chosen as the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) new president on Thursday. 

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

Source : Getty

After the election of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh's close aide Sanjay Singh to the position of president of the sport's governing body, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar encouraged the athletes to "focus more on sports," news agency ANI reported. Speaking with media, CM Khattar said: "Players should focus more on sports. The issue that came up regarding association is encircled by politics. Elections take place democratically so now they should accept it". 

"Here if some association is elected after voting then they should be accepted. Next time if somebody else wants to try they can," he added. 

#WATCH | Kurukshetra: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says, "Players should focus more on sports. The issue that came up regarding association is encircled by politics. Elections take place democratically so now they should accept it...Here if some association is elected after… pic.twitter.com/wmwbMV2i1A

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aid Sanjay Singh was chosen as the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) new president on Thursday. 

As the results were announced, Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik convened a news conference in the national capital, alleging the now-deposed WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Sanjay's election was met with displeasure by top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, who voiced their disgust with the outcome.

Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who led wrestlers' protests against previous WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment claims, announced her retirement from the sport on Thursday after his assistant Sanjay Singh was elected president of the federation. Sakshi Malik, sad and emotional, sobbed as she exited the venue after speaking at a news conference in the national capital. She placed her shoes on the table during the press conference to announce her intention to retire from wrestling.

Meanwhile, Bajrang Punia submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, stating that he is returning his Padma Shri in protest of the recent Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections.