Ace wrestlers stage protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against WFI’s ‘dictatorship’ [PICS]

Country’s prominent wrestlers including Olympian Bajrang Punia, World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, among other grapplers staged a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on January 18.

They protested against the Federation alleging ‘harassment of wrestler by WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations’, ANI reported.

Prominent wrestler Bajrang Punia said that ‘dictatorship’ is going on in WFI. "Wrestlers don't want to tolerate the ongoing dictatorship. We'll hold a press conference b/w 3-4pm&reveal everything there,” he said reported ANI.

Prominent wrestler Bajrang Punia said that ‘dictatorship’ is going on in WFI. "Wrestlers don't want to tolerate the ongoing dictatorship. We'll hold a press conference b/w 3-4pm&reveal everything there,” he said reported ANI.

“We are protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India. We, the wrestlers, have gathered here and will hold a press conference at 4 pm. We will raise all our issues there,” said 2016 Summer Olympics Bronze medallist Sakshee Malikkh.

Meanwhile, WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar visited Jantar Mantar and met the wrestlers to know their issues. After meeting the wrestlers, he talked to the media persons and assured that the Federation will try to solve the problems that wrestlers are facing.

“Don't know what this is about. Through the letter to WFI president, it came to be known that some wrestlers are sitting in protest. I have come to ask them about their problem,” Tomar said.

Once they come to the Federation, all the issues will be resolved and sorted out. They haven't told me yet what the issue is. No such issues were raised with me or the Federation so far,” Tomar added.

The protesting wrestlers said that they will hold a press conference at around 4 pm today and public their problems with the Wrestling Federation of India.

Earlier in the day, Sakshee Malikkh tweeted, "Sportspersons work hard to win medals for the country, but the Federation has done nothing but let us down. Players are being harassed by imposing arbitrary laws."

While Gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Bajrang Punia also took to Twitter and wrote, "The job of the federation is to support the players, take care of their sporting needs. If there is a problem, it has to be solved. But what if the federation itself creates the problem? Now we have to fight, we will not back down #BoycottWFIPresident and#BoycottWrestlingFederation," he said.

Ace wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Sangeeta Phogat, Bajrang, Sonam Malik, and Anshu are protesting at Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) management style.