In a surprising turn of events, wrestler Sakshi Malik announced her retirement immediately after Sanjay Singh, closely associated with MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, assumed the presidency of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on December 21. Malik alleged that Singh is not only a business partner of Brij Bhushan but also cited concerns about the federation’s leadership.
Sanjay Singh, victorious in the WFI elections, expressed gratitude for the support of wrestlers, emphasizing it as a collective win for those who faced setbacks in recent months. Responding to queries about internal politics, Singh asserted that they would address political matters with a political approach and wrestling with a focus on the sport.
The elections saw Sanjay Singh’s panel dominating, with him securing 40 votes against Anita Sheoran’s seven for the presidency. Anita Sheoran, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, claimed the crucial position of General Secretary, winning against Darshan Lal with a vote count of 27-19.
Despite the victory for Singh’s camp, wrestler Sakshi Malik’s sudden retirement added a layer of controversy. Malik, along with other women wrestlers, had previously accused former WFI President Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation, leading to protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
During a press conference, an emotional Sakshi Malik expressed her frustration with the continuation of individuals like Brij Bhushan, claiming him to be a business partner of the new federation chief. Her decision to retire raised questions about the association’s transparency and the potential impact on the morale of other athletes.
Some skeptics argue that Sakshi Malik’s retirement might be a strategic move to draw attention to the persistent issues within the WFI, shedding light on alleged misconduct.
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