Medallist at the World Championships Vinesh Phogat on Friday accused president of the Wrestling Federation of India Sanjay Singh of trying to prevent her from competing in the Olympic Qualifiers by making it difficult for her support staff to travel. She also expressed fear of becoming embroiled in a doping case.
The 29-year-old Phogat is aiming to earn an Olympic quota in the 50kg class at the Asian qualifying tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, next week. Phogat won gold in the 50kg category at the 2018 Asian Games and bronze in the 53kg category at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships.
She participated in the 53kg division at the Patiala selection trials after the authorities gave her permission, but she was eliminated in the semifinals.
“Brij Bhushan and his dummy Sanjay Singh are trying in every way to stop me from playing in the Olympics. All the coaches who have been appointed with the team are the favourites of Brij Bhushan and his team, so it cannot be denied that they may mix something in my water and make me drink it during my match?” Phogat said in lengthy post on his ‘X’ page.
“If I say that there could be a conspiracy to trap me in doping, then it will not be wrong.”
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Phogat claimed that she was not allowed to bring her personal coach or physiotherapist to the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament that begins on April 19.
“For the past one month, I have been requesting the Government of India (SAI, TOPS) for the accreditation of my coach and physio. Without accreditation, it is not possible for my coach and physio to accompany me to the competition arena,” she said.
“But despite repeated requests, I am not getting any concrete answer from anywhere. No one is ready to help. Will the future of players always be played with like this?
“No stone is being left unturned to mentally harass us. How far is it justified to torture us like this before such an important competition?” she asked.
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