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Ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has declined the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) invitation to participate in the upcoming national trials. Instead, he, along with Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satywart Kadiyan, have filed an urgent joint petition in the Delhi High Court. They seek a stay on the selection competition organised by the WFI in New Delhi from March 10 to March 11.
According to reliable sources, the court will hear the matter on February 30.
Although Bajrang did not confirm filing a petition, he raised concerns about the government's silence on issues related to Indian wrestling.
The selection of the Indian team for the Asian Wrestling Championships Olympic Qualifier in Kyrgyzstan next month will depend on the outcome of the trials held at Delhi's IG Stadium.
Speaking to PTI from Russia, where he has been training for the last two months, Bajrang stated that he has invested a significant amount of money in training abroad. However, he emphasised that he would not participate in trials if they are conducted by the Sanjay Singh-led WFI.
How the suspended WFI is conducting the trials?: Bajrang
"I would not spend Rs 30 lakh on my training if I were to not compete in the trials, but how the suspended WFI is conducting the trials? I don't get what the government's compulsion is (on allowing WFI to conduct trials)?" Bajrang said.
"I don't understand how a sports body suspended by the Indian government issue a circular and announce the trials. Why is the government silent? We will appear in the trials only if the ad-hoc panel or the government conducts it. How can a suspended body announce the trials?" he asked.
WFI President Sanjay Singh urged the protesting wrestlers to put the past behind them and participate in the trials.
The trio had spearheaded a lengthy protest at Jantar Mantar, calling for the arrest of then WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they had accused of sexual harassment.
Sakshi and Vinesh would opt out of trials: Bajrang
Bajrang, the bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, stated that he, along with Sakshi and Vinesh, would also opt out of the trials.
"This decision to not appear in trials is a joint decision taken by us. We are together in this," he said.
PTI tried to contact Sakshi and Vinesh for confirmation, but Sakshi did not respond to calls, and Vinesh could not be reached.
When asked directly if they had filed a lawsuit against the trials, Bajrang denied it. However, a source within the WFI confirmed to PTI that four wrestlers had approached the Delhi High Court.
Earlier this month, the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted the suspension on the WFI. However, the government, which had also suspended the National Sports Federation (NSF) for rule violations, has not yet made a similar decision.
Sakshi has already announced her retirement, while Vinesh, one of India's most decorated wrestlers, made a triumphant return to competitive wrestling by winning gold at the Nationals in Jaipur earlier this month.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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