The protests of Indian wrestlers against the WFI and its president continue in full force in Delhi, and have also taken a slight political turn. In the meantime, the Athletes Commission has advocated for the implementation of a system to effectively address player concerns.
In light of the protest by the country’s top wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recommended the national Olympic body put systems in place to deal with issues of the players “with respect and dignity.”
The IOA Athletes Commission convened on Saturday to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers who have accused Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation. Six of the ten members witnessed the Saturday meeting, and they have sent recommendations to the IOA, a source familiar with the situation told PTI on condition of anonymity.
“The Athletes Commission felt it should play a more active role in representing the athletes’ voices to the IOA and implementing systems to address the athletes’ concerns with respect and dignity,” said the source. Boxer and Athletes Commission chair and Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom was reportedly absent from the meeting. She heads a seven-member committee founded by the IOA on January 20 to investigate the wrestlers’ claims of sexual harassment.
The committee has not yet delivered its report. Mary Kom was also the director of the Sports Ministry’s Oversight Committee, which investigated sexual harassment and intimidation allegations against Singh. Earlier this month, this committee submitted its report to the sports ministry. Achanta Sharath Kamal (vice chairperson), Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Mirabai Chanu, and PV Sindhu, Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, rower Bajrang Lal, fencer Bhavani Devi, hockey player Rani Rampal, and former shot putter OP Karhana are also members of the IOA Athletes Commission.
Abhinav Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, and Sardar Singh, the former captain of the Indian national hockey team, are both members of the Athletes Commission, representing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Council of Asia, respectively. The meeting of the Athletes Commission occurred two days after IOA chief PT Usha harshly criticised the disgruntled wrestlers on Thursday, stating that they lacked discipline and that their protest on the streets damaged the country’s reputation.
Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik are the three central figures in the renewed protest against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, who has been accused by the grapplers of sexual harassment and intimidation. On Friday, the Delhi Police lodged two FIRs, including one under the POCSO Act, against the BJP MP, who has served as WFI president for 12 years and is ineligible to serve again.