Protest against WFI: Vinesh Phogat accuses wrestling federation president of sexually harassing girls

New Delhi, January 18: Wrestler and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat Wednesday accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

She also claimed that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women and harass them.

Phogat stated on the sidelines of a sit-in protest against the WFI near Delhi's Jantar Mantar, "Coaches are harassing women, and some Federation favourites are also misbehaving with female coaches. They sexually harass young women. Many girls have been sexually harassed by the WFI president."

" After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, the WFI president called me a 'khota sikka'. The Federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame," she further said.

The wrestlers who were protesting also accused the WFI of interfering with their personal lives and exploiting them.

"When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened," another wrestler stated.

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Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia also stated that the wrestlers want the management of the Federation to be sacked and replaced.

"We hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister (Amit Shah) will support us in our quest," Punia further added.

The protest against the WFI was led by Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat. The wrestlers have alleged "harassment by the WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations". Bajrang Punia stated that the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship of the Federation. "We would not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship," Bajrang added.

Taking to Twitter, Vinesh Phogat expressed her displeasure with the Federation's management, while other wrestlers Bajrang and Sakshee also raised their voices against governing body of the sport in the country.

"The players want self-respect as they prepare for the Olympics and other big events with full vigour. However, if the federation does not support them, their morale breaks down. But we won't bog down anymore and will fight for our rights," she tweeted.

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