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Sakshi Malik, the renowned Indian wrestler, has raised serious concerns about the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in a recent video message. She has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Minister to intervene and protect the future of wrestling in the country.Malik's video highlights the ongoing issues within the WFI, which she claims has continued to operate despite a court order suspending its activities. She alleges that she has been threatened with corruption charges, adding to her distress."Respected Prime Minister and Sports Minister, I greet you. Last year, after the Wrestling Federation elections, everyone witnessed Brij Bhushan Singh's dominance and bullying, which deeply troubled me and forced me to step away from wrestling. Following this, the government suspended the federation. However, the federation resumed its activities," Malik said.She further explained, "The court questioned how the federation could continue its work after the government had imposed a ban. The High Court put a stay on it, but the WFI did not comply with any orders. When the court reprimanded them again, the federation put the young athletes forward. I understand the difficult position these young athletes are in; their careers depend on the federation. Prime Minister, if you believe the future of these girls is safe under the federation dominated by Brij Bhushan, then you should lift the suspension. Otherwise, a permanent solution needs to be found."Malik's plea highlights the urgent need for government intervention to ensure a safe and fair environment for wrestlers in India. In 2023, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat were part of a protest against Brij Bhushan, who was accused of sexual harassment of female wrestlers.The WFI has been under scrutiny for its alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency. Malik's allegations have further raised concerns about the federation's ability to govern the sport effectively.The government has yet to respond to Malik's appeal, but it is expected to take action to address the issues raised by her and other wrestlers. The future of wrestling in India hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen whether the government will intervene to ensure a fair and transparent environment for athletes.

Vinesh Phogat, a renowned Indian wrestler, has refuted allegations made by fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik that the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was compromised by "greed."In her recently released book "Witness," Malik claimed that individuals close to Phogat and Bajrang Punia, another prominent wrestler, influenced them to seek exemption from Asian Games trials, tarnishing the image of the protests.Phogat vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that she and her fellow wrestlers fought for a just cause. She stated, "No one gave me anything in writing, nor can I assume someone's intentions. The good thing is that we fought for a good cause. If playing in the Olympics and winning a medal for our country is greed, then yes, I will carry that 'greed' till my last breath."Phogat further emphasized the importance of advocating for athletes' rights, saying, "If, as an athlete, speaking up for fellow athletes and standing by my sisters is greed, then I consider it a good kind of greed. The desire to play for the country should always remain."Malik, who was one of the key figures in the protests, alleged that the pursuit of personal interests had overshadowed the collective cause. She wrote in her book, "The old way of thinking selfishly was taking over once again. The people close to Bajrang and Vinesh had started filling their minds with greed. Now they were talking about this exemption from trials for the Games."Malik's claims have sparked controversy within the wrestling community. However, Phogat remains steadfast in her belief that the protests were driven by a genuine desire for change. She said, "What exactly is greed? If, as an athlete, speaking up for fellow athletes and standing by my sisters is greed, then I consider it a good kind of greed."The allegations and counter-allegations have cast a shadow over the wrestling community, raising questions about the integrity of the sport's governing body and the motivations of its athletes. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the future of Indian wrestling.

Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik has released her autobiography, "Witness," in which she shares her experiences as a wrestler and the challenges she faced throughout her career.Malik, along with Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, led a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in 2021. However, she criticized Phogat and Punia's decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials, stating that it undermined the credibility of their protest.Malik also revealed that she was molested by her tuition teacher during her childhood but kept it a secret. She struggled with self-blame and fear, which affected her early wrestling career. Despite her physical abilities, she lacked the confidence to confront opponents.During the WFI protest, Malik expressed disappointment with the political class and accused Babita Phogat, a former wrestler and current BJP politician, of having selfish motives. She alleged that Phogat aimed to replace Sharan Singh rather than solely advocate for the protesters' demands.Malik also shared that her parents took away most of her award money and opposed her relationship with fellow wrestler Satyawart Kadian. However, she stood her ground and fought for her love.Malik's autobiography provides a candid account of her journey as a wrestler, the obstacles she overcame, and the controversies that shaped her career. It highlights the challenges faced by female athletes and the importance of speaking out against injustice.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President, Sanjay Singh, has expressed optimism about India's potential to win multiple medals in women's wrestling at the 2028 Olympic Games. However, he emphasized the need for certain institutions to cease interfering in the federation's operations.Despite the International Wrestling Federation (UWW) lifting its suspension of WFI in February, the Indian Sports Ministry continues to keep the federation suspended. The suspension was imposed in December 2022 following the announcement of U-15 and U-20 Nationals hours after the election of Sanjay Singh as President.Singh believes that if WFI is allowed to function independently, India can achieve significant success in women's wrestling. He pointed to the recent triumph of India's U17 women's team at the World Championships, where five wrestlers emerged as world champions.Singh also urged Vinesh Phogat to reconsider her retirement decision. Phogat announced her retirement after failing to medal at the Paris Olympics due to a weight disqualification. Singh believes that Phogat's experience and inspiration would be invaluable to the next generation of wrestlers.Reflecting on the wrestlers' movement in 2023, Singh acknowledged that it has taught WFI a valuable lesson. He believes that the movement, which was sparked by allegations of sexual harassment against the then WFI president, was politically motivated and hindered India's Olympic performance.Singh emphasized the importance of separating wrestling from politics and announced plans to establish a wrestling academy in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. He is optimistic that the academy will foster the development of young wrestlers and contribute to India's future success in the sport.

The Delhi High Court has reinstated the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad hoc committee to oversee the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The decision came in response to a plea filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian.The court's interim order overturned the IOA's dissolution of the ad hoc committee, which was formed after the WFI's elections in December 2023. The court held that the IOA's decision was incompatible with the Union Sports Ministry's suspension of the WFI following the elections.Justice Sachin Datta rejected the petitioners' request to appoint a retired high court or Supreme Court judge as the WFI administrator. Instead, the court allowed the IOA to reconstitute the ad hoc committee with eminent sportspersons or experts who have experience in dealing with international federations.The wrestlers had protested at Jantar Mantar last year, demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment. They subsequently filed a petition in the high court to annul the WFI elections.The Sports Ministry suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, for allegedly violating its constitution. The IOA then formed an ad hoc committee to manage the WFI's affairs. However, the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted the suspension in February, prompting the IOA to dissolve its ad hoc committee on March 18.The court ruled that the UWW's lifting of the ban was unrelated to the Sports Ministry's suspension order and the formation of the ad hoc committee. It also stated that the Sports Ministry should not have adopted a passive approach that undermined its own orders.The court emphasized that the ad hoc committee will continue to manage the WFI's affairs until the Sports Ministry's suspension order is reviewed or recalled. It also noted that the Paris Olympic Games are over, and there is no reason for the ministry to delay a decision on the suspension order.

India's wrestling performance at the Paris Olympic Games has been underwhelming, with only one bronze medal to show for their efforts. Aman Sehrawat's bronze in his maiden Olympic appearance is the lone bright spot, but the overall performance has been deemed ordinary by many.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Sanjay Singh, attributes the lackluster showing to the protests that Indian wrestlers staged for over a year. The protests, sparked by allegations against former wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, disrupted the wrestlers' training and preparation."The protests that took place for 14-15 months disturbed the entire wrestling fraternity," Singh told India Today. "The wrestlers in other categories struggled as they could not practice without national and international tournaments."Apart from Sehrawat and Vinesh Phogat, who impressed in Paris, other wrestlers like Anshu Malik, Reetika Hooda, Nisha Dahiya, and Antim Panghal failed to make an impact.Phogat, who was disqualified from the final for exceeding the weight limit, is still awaiting a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on her plea for a silver medal. CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris to handle Olympic cases, and a decision is expected by August 16.Phogat's disqualification was a major disappointment for India, as she was a strong contender for gold. She had reached the final by defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals.The 29-year-old Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after her disqualification. Her departure is a significant loss for Indian wrestling, as she has been one of the country's most successful wrestlers in recent years.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has expressed concerns over the lack of preparatory camps for wrestlers bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a letter to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), WFI president Sanjay Singh has requested medical tests and fitness assessments for the six qualified wrestlers.Singh emphasized the importance of ensuring optimal health and fitness for the athletes before the Games. He stated that the federation will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained due to the absence of sanctioned preparatory camps.The six wrestlers who have qualified for the Olympics are Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, Reetika Hooda, Nisha Dahiya, and Aman Sehrawat. They have been training independently at their respective academies or abroad under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).However, the lack of a national camp has hindered the assessment of their fitness levels. Wrestling national coaches have informed WFI that they are unable to evaluate the fitness of some wrestlers.The case of Anshu Malik, who reportedly suffered a shoulder strain during training, prompted WFI to write to TOPS. Malik was admitted to a hospital, but WFI was not initially informed. The federation received contradictory reports on her fitness, leading to concerns about her preparation for the Olympics.WFI has also forwarded requests from wrestlers to take their coaches and support staff to the Games for IOA's consideration. Currently, only Vinesh Phogat's personal physio has been cleared by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).The lack of preparatory camps and the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of some wrestlers have raised concerns within the WFI. The federation is urging SAI to address these issues to ensure that the wrestlers are adequately prepared for the upcoming Olympics.

Antim Panghal, India's 53kg wrestling sensation, is set to make her long-awaited return to competition at the International Ranking Series in Budapest from June 6. The world championships bronze medalist has been absent from the mat since October 2022, raising questions about her form and fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics.With no national camp being held, Antim has been training at her base in Hisar. Her coach, Bhagat Singh, insists that she is fully fit and eager to prove herself in Budapest. However, her rivals have demanded selection trials to assess her readiness for the Olympics.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided not to hold trials, instead sending quota winners directly to Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from some wrestlers and coaches, who believe that trials are essential to ensure the best possible team is selected.Antim's return to competition will be closely watched, as she aims to silence her critics and demonstrate her fitness for the Olympics. She will face stiff competition in Budapest, with several top wrestlers vying for ranking points.Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers, including Ravi Dahiya, Sarita Mor, and Shivanee Pawar, have requested WFI to send their entries for the Budapest ranking series. These wrestlers, who had hoped to challenge the quota winners for an Olympic berth, are keen to prove their form in an international event.The Budapest ranking series will provide a crucial opportunity for Indian wrestlers to assess their progress and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Antim Panghal's performance will be particularly scrutinized, as she seeks to prove that she is ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Ravi Dahiya, India's former 57kg wrestling champion, faces an uncertain future after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided against holding final selection trials for the Paris Olympics. The decision has left Dahiya, who has been struggling with a knee injury, without a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.Dahiya's career has been on a downward spiral in recent years. After being the country's top wrestler in his weight class, he has lost consecutive domestic selection trials. The knee injury, which required surgery last year, has also taken a toll on his performance.Despite the setbacks, Dahiya remains optimistic. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and has been pleading with WFI officials to reconsider their decision. He has even met with the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials to state his case.However, WFI officials have indicated that the decision is unlikely to be reversed. They argue that there is not enough time left before the Budapest Ranking Series, which will serve as the final qualifying event for the Olympics.Dahiya's situation is a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India. Despite their sacrifices and hard work, they can be left at the mercy of bureaucratic decisions that can derail their dreams.Dahiya's story is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to fight for his Olympic dream. He knows that the odds are stacked against him, but he is not giving up hope.