All wrestlers, including those involved in the protest, are required to try out and earn a place in India’s Asian Games team
Posted Date – 08:58 PM, Sat – 6/10/23
Photo: IANS
New Delhi: In ongoing talks to resolve the wrestler’s issue, wrestler Sakhi Malik said on Saturday they will not participate in the Asian Games unless the issue is fully resolved. Talking to reporters in Sonipat, Malik said no one understands what a wrestler goes through mentally every day.
The 30-year-old arrived in Sonipat for the Mahapanchayat to decide on the future course of action for the wrestlers, who have been demanding the resignation of outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh amid sexual harassment allegations. “We will not participate in the Asian Games until these issues are resolved. You cannot understand how mentally exhausting this is and what we are going through every day,” Sakshi said. Sakshi’s comments come as trials for the Asian Games are scheduled to take place next month. All wrestlers, including those involved in the protest, are required to participate in tryouts and earn a place in the Indian team for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, 2023.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sakshi, along with Bajrang Punia and others, met Union Sports Minister Anuarag Thakur at his home and said the government had asked for the police investigation to be completed by June 15. “The government has requested that the police investigation be completed by June 15. It has agreed to most of our recommendations on wrestling. Now, we will put these recommendations before the farmers’ union, the women’s union, our elders and the village committee. Therefore, We will not have any protests until June 15, but our ‘campaign’ against the WFI chief will continue,” Sakshi said.
