News Brief
After Six-Hour Meet With Wrestlers, Union Sports Minister Promises Clean-Up In WFI And Wrestlers' Say In New Leadership
Left: BJP MP and ex-WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh; Right: Protesting Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik (Image: PTI)
After a six-hour meeting between Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and the protesting wrestlers, it is being reported that the government has assured the wrestlers of a cleanup and transfer of power in the Wrestling Federation of India.
After more than a decade of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh's dominance over the WFI, including his family members and allies, WFI will have new leadership in light of the recent sexual harassment allegations against Singh.
Reportedly, the government has promised that Singh and his family members will not be allowed participate in the next WFI elections. Furthermore, the opinions of the protesting wrestlers - Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, will hold weight in selecting the president, general secretary, and treasurer for of WFI.
Thakur emphasized the need to conduct WFI elections by June 30 and set up an Internal Complaints Committee with a woman as its head. He also suggested that WFI should function as a good federation with input from players after the elections.
Singh, who has served 12 years as WFI president, did not compete for another term due to the National Sports Code's tenure limit. The latest meeting has confirmed that even his family or associates will not be considered for the position.
Karan Bhushan, son of Brij Bhushan, was Vice President of WFI until govt dissolved its executive council. Vishal Singh, Brij Bhushan's son-in-law, is Bihar Wrestling Association's president. Aditya Pratap Singh, also Brij Bhushan's son-in-law, is the WFI joint secretary.
According to reports, Thakur stated there was consensus on this during the meeting regarding wrestlers demand that former president Brij Bhushan Singh and his associates not be re-elected after completing three terms.
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