'Our Fight Not Against Govt But For Women Wrestlers': Sakshi Malik On Suspension Of New WFI Body

Wrestler Sakshi Malik said that the suspension of the newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India is for betterment in wrestlers.

Wrestler Sakshi Malik reacted to suspension of newly elected WFI body by Union Sports Ministry ( Image Source :PTI )

Wrestler Sakshi Malik on Sunday reacted to the suspension of newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India by the Union sports ministry saying that this has happened for the betterment of wrestlers. The Union sports ministry suspended the newly-elected wrestling body after the recently elected president Sanjay Singh announced U-15 and U-20 nationals to take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year. 

"Our fight was not with the government. Our fight is for women wrestlers, I have announced my retirement but want that the upcoming wrestlers should get justice," Malik said while speaking to reporters in Delhi. 

According to a PTI report quoting sports ministry source as saying the ministry has not terminated WFI, "they just need to follow due process and rules while functioning as a sports body."

#WATCH | On suspension of the newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by Union Sports Ministry, Wrestler Sakshi Malik says, "I have not seen anything in writing yet. I don't know whether only Sanjay Singh has been suspended or the entire body has been… pic.twitter.com/J3ELFd98rC

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Singh, a close associate of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected as the president of the wrestling body on Wednesday after which Malik had announced that she has quit the sport. 

Malik, along with other top wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat had staged prolonged protest demanding probe into allegations of sexual harrasment by BJP MP and former chief of WFI, Brij Bhushan Singh.

Later, Punia also announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award in protest against Singh's apppointment. 

Addressing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punia expressed his concerns about the current state of wrestling governance in India.

Meanwhile, reacting to the news of suspension, Sanjay Singh said he was not aware of the details. 

"I was in a flight and I don't know the details. I have not even received the letter. I will first take a look at the letter and then take a step. I don't want to make a comment right now," he said while responding to media query on the development on Sunday.