If the trial is only in the hands of WFI and the government cannot do anything then we will not participate in it: Bajrang Punia

New Delhi: Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia on Thursday made it clear that they – Vinesh Phogat, retired Sakshi Malik and other protesting wrestlers – will not take part in the national trials announced by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) unless the government intervenes in the matter. and does not provide ‘reasonable solution’.

On Monday, the WFI had invited the protesting wrestlers to take part in trials in March to select teams for two top Asian competitions, including the 2024 Paris Games qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan.

In a special conversation with IANS, Bajrang said, ‘We don’t know what is happening. Why is the government not doing anything? The WFI is conducting state elections, using government money and conducting trials despite being suspended by the Sports Ministry. This is really disappointing. If the trials are only in the hands of WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) and the government will not do anything, then we will not even go for the trials.

‘He (Sanjay Singh) is making fun of all the rules and the government is doing nothing. This is strange. We need a proper solution to this.

Earlier this month, United World Wrestling (UWW) had lifted the Indian wrestling body’s suspension with the condition that the three wrestlers be given a fair chance and former national federation chief Brij Bhushan joins them in protesting against Sharan Singh. There will be no discrimination.

All three are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers. The Sports Ministry had also suspended the WFI last year in the wake of serious allegations and constituted an ad-hoc panel to run the affairs of the game.

The newly elected body led by Sanjay Singh was also suspended by the ministry.

However, with support from UWW, WFI is now testing.

Interestingly, the government cannot directly interfere in the matter of WFI, otherwise WFI will suspend it and Indian wrestlers will have to play under their banner in major tournaments.