In what used to be dubbed as a damage-control workout after Usha’s “protest not good for the country’s image” stirred up an issue, inviting common complaint, the under-fire IOA leader, a mythical observe and box athlete with over 100 nationwide and world medals to her title, met the trio of Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malik. “I am an athlete first and then an administrator,” Usha advised the protesting wrestlers.
Usha, who had known as for the wrestlers “to be disciplined” after she used to be requested concerning the protest on April 27, spent on the subject of half-an-hour with the wrestlers paying attention to their calls for and assuring them that justice could be served to them. Usha, it is been discovered, advised the wrestlers that an ad-hoc committee of IOA has taken over the functioning of the WFI and that it is going to make sure that the wrestlers’ long run and their participation in world occasions would possibly not be affected.
When Usha used to be strolling in opposition to the protest website online, some other folks raised slogans towards her however the scenario used to be temporarily introduced beneath management through the Delhi police workforce stationed on the website online. Usha left with out chatting with the mediapersons. The IOA didn’t get a hold of an reputable observation, however Bajrang, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, advised journalists that Usha had clarified to them that her phrases had been previous “misinterpreted”.
“We told her that we felt bad about what she had said earlier. She said that her comments were misinterpreted. She told us that she is an athlete first and then an administrator. We told her that we want justice. We are not fighting with the government or for any opposition’s cause. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling and to ensure that India’s daughters get justice against Singh. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against Singh) are proven, then there should be legal action against him,” Bajrang mentioned.
“Usha ma’am has extended full support to us. She is a sporting legend and we respect her. Better late than never,” he added.
Vinesh, the reigning CWG and Asian Games champion mentioned Usha felt disenchanted observing them sitting at the streets. Ironically, it used to be Usha who had scolded the wrestlers for sitting at the streets and protesting every week in the past. “She said you are athletes and your place is in the training hall, not here. She wants to see us compete and win medals for the country. She feels disappointed that we are sitting here. Whoever comes here will be respected. We are glad that she supported us. She said such investigations take time. We asked her to run the federation and conduct Nationals and other competitions away from Brij Bhushan’s shadow. She is also a Rajya Sabha MP, so we asked her to raise our voice in the parliament Vinesh added.
Yes, we have booked hotel rooms
The wrestler admitted on Tuesday that they have booked hotel rooms nearby so that the female athletes can go there and change. The clarification came after some photos of Bajrang and his wife, Sangeeta Phogat, sitting in a restaurant and having a meal went viral on social media. “Girls can not alternate at the street. We have booked some rooms close by which we use to clean and alter,” said Bajrang. Sakshee added: “All the rumors that we do not sleep listed below are baseless. Anybody is welcome to come back right here anytime and take a look at.” Vinesh accused the Delhi police of spreading lies about them. “This morning some other folks from an NGO sought after to come back right here to specific harmony with us however Delhi police despatched them again pronouncing nobody is sitting right here. They had been advised that we go away from right here within the night time and are available again through 11-12. Then , some other folks advised the ones children that we’re sitting right here. Police is making an attempt to deceive the folks and take pleasure in petty acts.”
UWW approves IOA’s ad-hoc body
In a late evening development, the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body, gave its go ahead to the IOA’s two-member ad-hoc body to run its day-to-day affairs and conduct the federation’s elections. Informing about the same, IOA’s joint secretary and acting CEO, Kalyan Chaubey, came up with an office order, stating, “On May 2, 2023, the UWW additionally gave consent to the formation of the ad-hoc committee of WFI”. The individuals of the committee are Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Suma Shirur, who will likely be assisted through a retired pass judgement on of the Supreme Court or any High Court in India.