Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who’s awaiting a report by a authorities panel on the sexual harassment allegations in opposition to him, confirmed on April 16 that he will not contest for the president’s post in WFI election on May 7 however hinted that he may look for a brand new function inside the federation.
At its Emergency General Council and Executive Committee assembly, chaired by Secretary General V. N. Prasood, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) introduced the election schedule.
Brij Bhushan has served three four-year phrases as president in a row and in line with the Sports Code after finishing 12 years as WFI chief, he’s ineligible to contest for the highest post.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and different wrestlers tackle the media concerning their protest in opposition to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Also Read: WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh seems earlier than the Oversight Committee
“We had to schedule elections earlier, but due to the recent controversy, we could not hold the elections earlier, but now we will move forward. I will follow the Sports Code and not contest for president’s post,” Brij Bhushan informed PTI after the assembly.
So does that imply that he will not be concerned with WFI anymore?
“I have said I will not contest for president’s post, I have not said I will not contest elections.” Brij Bhushan, 66, will must serve a four-year cooling off interval to regain the eligibility to contest for an workplace bearer’s post.
However, he may be a part of the five-member WFI Executive Committee.
By the time he serves the cooling-off interval in 2027, he would have attained the age of 70 and that will once more make him ineligible to contest in line with the Code, that has positioned the age cap on all officers.
It will be attention-grabbing to see if his son Karan, who’s the president of U.P. Wrestling Association, throws his hat into the ring. Asked if he was allowed to attend the AGM in the wake of sexual harassment and intimidation accusations levelled in opposition to him by the highest wrestlers of the nation, the WFI President mentioned, he has labored inside the guidelines.
“In writing, I was asked to step aside for three weeks, and later it was extended to six weeks, and I did that. I have appeared at IOA and oversight panel hearings. I can work as WFI official now. There is no question of flouting any rule. “The findings of the committee are with the federal government, and I’m ready for that report.”
The country’s top wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Sarita Mor along with several others, alleged that the WFI chief has sexually harassed female wrestlers and also intimidates the athletes.
Brij Bhushan said it was laughable what the wrestlers said during the hearings.
“I couldn’t cease laughing what these wrestlers have been saying. If I had something inappropriate with Sakshi Malik then why did she invite me to her wedding ceremony. They come to me with their private issues and in addition household points. They sit with my son and daughter-in-law and have meals collectively and now out of the blue they’re alleging that I’ve harassed them. If that is the case why do they arrive to my house?”
The WFI boss said the federation will not have revenge in mind when the issue is sorted.
“There are lots of people, who cannot face me now, not simply these protesting wrestlers. But in the event that they wish to play, the method stays the identical for everybody. All eligible candidates can compete however WFI will not be going to exempt any wrestler from Olympic trials even when a wrestler wins quota in a selected class. If Bajrang books Olympic quota, he will must beat the winner of the nationwide trials to compete in Olympics. if he loses, he will nonetheless be a given an opportunity after 15 days for a re-match and earn a spot in the Indian staff.
“There will be no discrimination. I have not done anything wrong. These wrestlers were just a pawn, someone else is behind this controversy. The wrestlers have been used for this. I have not spent one day in any sort of guilt, I have kept doing my work and the federation will continue to do that whether I remain part of it or not.”
