In a surprising turn of events, wrestler Sakshi Malik revealed that her mother has been receiving threatening phone calls. Allegedly, supporters of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have been intimidating her mother, hinting at filing cases against Sakshi. This situation unfolded following Sakshi’s decision to retire from the sport, coinciding with the election of Sanjay Singh, reportedly a close associate of Brij Bhushan, as the new president of WFI.
“Our safety is the government’s responsibility,” Sakshi Malik said in a press conference.
Brij Bhushan’s men have been active over the last two days. My mother got a threat call from one of his supporters, who said they would soon lodge a case against my family members.” she added.
Sakshi Malik opens on WFI Suspension:
Despite the suspension of the newly-elected president and executive committee by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the establishment of an ad-hoc committee, Sanjay Singh has rejected this decision. Instead, he has chosen to proceed with organizing national events.
“We knew Brij Bhushan is influential but we did not know he was so powerful that he would declare nationals without discussing with anyone from his residence. Now we are being accused of spoiling the wrestling careers of the juniors. I have taken sanyas from wrestling. Want junior girls to fulfil what I could not — I want them to win silver, gold for the country. I don’t want any junior to suffer for us,” Sakshi Malik said.
“We have no problem with the new federation or the ad-hoc committee. We only had a problem with Brij Bhushan’s aide Sanjay Singh,” Sakshi concluded.
Following Sakshi Malik’s announcement of retirement, Bajrang Punia placed his Padma Shri on the footpath, while Vinesh Phogat left her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards on the street, symbolically renouncing them.
In a significant development amidst the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) controversy, a protest against Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat commenced at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. Junior wrestlers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi gathered at Jantar Mantar with banners bearing the message: “UWW save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers.” The trio has been leading the protest against Brij Bhushan.
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