A global body claims that Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat cannot be distinguished, but misunderstanding persists on the home scene. The UWW had threatened to suspend India in June after issuing a strong-worded statement denouncing the treatment and confinement of the protesting wrestlers, before suspending the WFI in August of last year.
In a move that will probably cause uncertainty at home but would enable athletes from India to compete internationally once more under the national flag, United World Wrestling (UWW) removed the suspension it had placed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday.
The UWW stated that WFI’s readmission is subject to certain requirements, following a six-month ban for its inability to hold elections. A condition of the agreement is that the UWW receive “written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination” from the WFI, which is run by a close assistant of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by the top wrestlers in the nation.
The UWW claimed, “This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former President,” referring to Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia as the leaders of the anti-Bhushan protests.
WFI president Sanjay Singh told The Indian Express that he will personally call the three wrestlers and extend an invitation for them to take part in the Olympic qualification event that is scheduled for April.
After Sanjay was named president, Sakshi declared her retirement, although Vinesh just won a gold medal at the National Championship in her maiden competition after more than a year. Presently, Bajrang is in Russia getting ready for the trials.
