[Sanjay Singh with former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (L) after the election victory.]
New Delhi: Sanjay Singh, close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who is accused of sexual harassment, has been elected the new President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), according to the election result announced Thursday.
Sanjay Singh, Head of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Federation, defeated Anita Sheoran by 40 votes to 7.
Sanjay Singh’s election victory has angered ace wrestlers, including Olympic Medallist Sakshi Malik, who announced to quit wrestling.
Addressing a press conference after the WFI election result was announced, Sakshee Malik broke down while accusing the Modi government of betraying them.
"The government has betrayed us. We had demanded a woman to be chief of the federation so that the wrestlers will be safe. It however did not happen", she said.
"It's a pity that the committee does not have a single woman member", she said.
"If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the President of WFI, I quit wrestling", she said holding her shoes in hand.
"...If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling..." - Sakshi Malik, Wrestler.
— Rohini Anand (@mrs_roh08) December 21, 2023
Because BJP won't stop protecting accused Brij Bhushan Singh.
Women are not safe under BJP at all. pic.twitter.com/JRY3rMWOnA
Commenting on the election result, wrestler Vinesh Phogat said:
"There are minimal expectations but we hope that we get justice. It's saddening that the future of wrestling is in the dark. To whom shall we convey our grief? We will continue our fight."
The International wrestling body United World Wrestling (UWW) had in August this year suspended India’s membership because of the delay in the WFI executive committee election.
The WFI is facing one controversy after another, following the accusations by top wrestlers of the country against former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is facing a number of charges including molestation and sexual harassment of wrestlers. The Delhi Police in its chargesheet filed against Singh said it has enough evidence to prosecute the high-profile BJP MP.
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