Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is awaiting the report of a government panel on the sexual harassment allegations against him, on Sunday confirmed that he will not contest for the post of president in the WFI elections on May 7, but indicated that he would Can look for a new role. within the federation.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced the election schedule at its Emergency General Council and Executive Committee meeting chaired by General Secretary VN Prasad.
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Brij Bhushan has served three consecutive four years as the President and accordingly Play Code after completing 12 years as WFI chief, he is ineligible to contest for the top post.
He said, ‘We were supposed to hold elections earlier, but due to the recent controversy, we could not hold the elections earlier, but now we will go ahead. I will follow the sports code and will not contest for the post of president.
So does this mean that he will no longer be associated with WFI? I have said that I will not contest for the post of President, I have not said that I will not contest. ,
However, he can be a part of the five-member executive committee of WFI.
If he serves a cooling-off period in 2027, he would have attained the age of 70 and would have been ineligible to contest elections again in accordance with the code that set age limits on all officials.
It will be interesting to see whether his son Karan, who is the president of the UP Wrestling Federation, throws his hat into the ring or not. Asked whether he was allowed to attend the AGM in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against him by the country’s top wrestlers, the WFI president said, he has acted within the rules.
“In writing, I was asked to remain isolated for three weeks, and later it was extended for six weeks, and I did so. I have appeared in the hearings of the IOA and the monitoring panel. I Can now work as WFI official. There is no question of any rule violation. “The findings of the committee are with the government, and I am waiting for that report.”Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik And several other top wrestlers, including Sarita Mor, alleged that the WFI chief sexually harasses women wrestlers and intimidates athletes as well.
Brij Bhushan said that what the wrestlers said during the hearing was ridiculous.
“I couldn’t stop laughing at what these wrestlers said. If I had any differences with Sakshi Malik then why did she invite me to her wedding. They come to me with their personal matters and family issues.
“They sit with my son and daughter-in-law and eat together and now suddenly they are alleging that I have harassed them. If so then why do they come to my house?
“There are many people who cannot face me now, not just these opposing wrestlers. But if they want to play then the process remains same for all. All eligible candidates can compete but WFI is not going to exempt any wrestler from Olympic trials even if a wrestler wins quota in a particular category.
“If Bajrang books an Olympic quota, he will have to beat the winner of the national trials to compete in the Olympics. If he loses, he will be given a chance to play again after 15 days and get a place in the Indian team.
“There will be no discrimination. I have done nothing wrong. These wrestlers were pawns, someone else is behind this controversy. Wrestlers have been used for this.
“I haven’t spent a single day feeling guilty, I have been doing my job and the federation will continue to do so whether I am a part of it or not.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)