Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 19: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been asked to explain itself and provide a response to the allegations made within the next 72 hours after the Sports Ministry became aware of the protest organised by wrestlers in Delhi during which female wrestlers made serious accusations of sexual harassment against the president and coaches of the federation.
According to the Ministry’s letter with WFI, “the Ministry has taken a very serious view of the situation since the matter refers to the well-being of athletes.”
“since the matter pertains to the well-being of athletes, the Ministry has taken a very serious view of the matter,” in its communication to WFI, the Ministry has stated.
Union Sports Ministry sought an explanation from Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations levelled by wrestlers, including Olympic and CWG medalists: Sports Authority of India pic.twitter.com/w2C4FhyvFX
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
“If WFI fails to furnish the reply within the next 72 hours, the Ministry will proceed to initiate action against the Federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011,” it added.
Additionally, the Women’s National Wrestling Coaching Camp, which was scheduled to begin on January 18, 2023 at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) of the Sports Authority of India in Lucknow with 41 athletes and 13 coaches and support staff, has been postponed.
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Until the campers leave the centre, the Executive Director of NCOE Lucknow is mandated to provide all amenities to national campers who have previously reported and are anticipated to report.
All campers have been received the pertinent information regarding the cancellation of the National Coaching Camp.
On Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat made accusations that trainers who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) mistreat and abuse women. In addition, after losing at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, she claimed that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the head of the wrestling federation, had called her a ‘khota sikka’ and had engaged in sexual harassment of girls.
