Reported by Surender Singh
Sakshee Malikkh’s mother Sudesh Malik welcomed the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) body, led by Sanjay Singh, also an aide of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“When Sanjay was named as the new WFI president, we called it a black day in wrestling,” Sakshee’s mother was quoted as saying.
“Earlier, the WFI elections took place after the wrestlers protested on the streets for 40 long days. Had Sanjay Singh stayed as the president, he would have dominated,” she said.
After it was announced that the U15 and U20 National Junior Wrestling competition would take place later this year, Sakshee expressed her fear about women going to take part in the tournament in Gonda, which happens to be under Brij Bhushan.
“If Sanjay Singh remained as the president, things that Brij Bhushan always wanted, would keep taking place,” Sakshee’s mother said.
After Sanjay Singh had taken over from Brij Bhushan, Sakshee announced her retirement from wrestling in an emotional press conference.
On Sakshee taking retirement from wrestling, her mother said that if good people, especially women, join the WFI and become the new chief, then Sakshee may think about returning on the mat.
“The discussion of fair elections should also break the dominance of all the state wrestling federations. If that dominance isn’t broken, then the people in those state federations will vote in favour of Brij Bhushan.
“A female president, who comes from the wrestlers’ community and someone who understands their issues and should be able to listen to their voice, should be appointed,” Sakshee’s mother added.
