Sakshi Malik Blames Government For Using Asian Games Trial Exemptions As Tool To Divide Wrestlers
It is pertinent to note that Sakshi Malik was a key member of the Wrestlers' protest in Delhi against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Ever since the news of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia being granted a direct entry into Asian Games 2023 has been made official, an objection has been made from other wrestlers who feel that it is not a fair call. The latest to raise her voice is Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik. She has criticised the government's decision of giving the two wrestlers a free pass into the Asian set to happen in China later this year.
It is pertinent to note that Malik was a key member of the Wrestlers' protest in Delhi against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The wrestler took to Twitter to share a post before uploading a video to further clarify her stand. In her tweet, she that the entire Asian Games trials exemption is a tool to divide the wrestling community.
Also Read | WFI Ad Hoc Panel Raises Eyebrows With Direct Asian Games Entries For Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat
"The government has done the work of breaking the unity of the wrestlers by sending their names directly to the Asian Games. I have never gone to play without trial nor do I support it. I am disturbed by this intention of the government. We had talked about extending the date of trials, but the government has put this defamation in our pocket," her tweet in Hindi roughly translates to in English.
सरकार ने एशियन गेम्स में सीधे नाम भेजकर पहलवानों की एकता को तोड़ने का काम किया है. मैं न कभी बिना ट्रायल खेलने गई हूँ और न ही इसका समर्थन करती हूँ. सरकार की इस मंशा से विचलित हूँ. हमने ट्रायल्स की डेट आगे बढ़वाने की बात कही थी लेकिन सरकार ने हमारी झोली में यह बदनामी डाल दी है.
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) July 20, 2023
Later, she uploaded a video in which she clarified her stance, revealing that she had been told to write an email if she wanted to be considered for a direct entry to Asian Games.
"We had asked the government to give us time to gear up for Asian Games. We had demanded that our trials be taken post August 10. Government had agreed also to that request which is why we had come for our preparatory camps overseas. However, it has now come to notice in the last 3-4 days that in two weight categories direct entries are being granted for Asian Games. I had also been told to write an email and U would be considered for a direct entry. But I refused as I didn't want to go without trials," she said.
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) July 20, 2023
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