Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has opened up on the Sports Ministry's decision to suspend the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Phogat is among the top wrestlers to protest against the former WFI President Sanjay Singh and also against the appointment of his close aide Sanjay Singh.
In an exclusive chat with India TV, Vinesh gave her initial reaction to the suspension of the WFI body. Phogat has said that the development gives them a ray of hope in their fight against the body. "A ray of hope has come alive. The young girls were shocked (after Sanjay Singh's appointment). We were very disappointed till now," she said on India TV.
"Careers of the girls who protested were on the line. If a wrestler like Sakshi Malik can announce her retirement, think about the younger girls, at what level their minds would have gone?" she added.
Vinesh stated that the Protesting wrestlers would want to see a woman President at the top of the WFI post. "We can't thank enough to Bajrang Punia, who has been with us through all this time. This decision (suspension of WFI) gives us a ray of hope. A good person should become the chief, we would like to see a woman president. We have suffered a lot, if a woman president comes we would feel we have succeeded. We will keep fighting in Court to see Brij Bhushan getting punished," she said.
'Sports Ministry's decision better late than never': Vinesh
She also said that the Sports Ministry might have seen something that they have suspended the WFI body now. "If Sports Ministry has taken this decision by looking at something. It's better late than never, they might have seen something what we have been shouting about for months now. We want a good good person to come (as WFI President). I have given 20 years to wrestling, I want our wrestling to be on top, everyone should watch it. We would be extremely happy if our wrestling revives, " she said.
'Decision in favour of girls': Akhil Sheoran chats with India TV
Akhil Sheroan, who was the candidate fighting against Sanjay Singh for the president post, also opened up about the development with India TV. "This decision is in favour of the girls of the country. This man (Sanjay Singh) started doing the same, he did not ask anyone about the nationals. He kept it there only (in Gonda). Their demand is that a woman should come into the federation, a woman should be appointed as the president so that the safety is taken care of," she said.
"If a woman president is elected, the nation will see how the environment will change (in WFI). Then all the safety measures will be taken care of. There would be no partiality," she added.
