Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has voiced concerns about the dormant state of wrestling activities in India, calling for the Sports Ministry to reinitiate these crucial preparations with only seven months remaining for the Paris Olympics.
Expressing dismay over the hiatus between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the Sports Ministry, Punia highlighted the suspension of Sanjay Singh, an aide to former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh, by the ministry. This suspension has led to a standstill in wrestling-related events and camps essential for athletes' Olympic preparations.
Punia underscored the urgency of the situation, noting the lack of national events or training camps for athletes in the past several months. He emphasized wrestling's consistent success in the Olympics, contributing four consecutive medals in the last four Games, while expressing concern over the lack of serious preparations for the upcoming event in Paris.
Having previously expressed his dissent by returning his Padma Shri award in protest against the election of Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan, Punia reiterated the critical need for focused Olympic preparations.
As a freestyle wrestling bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics within the 65 kg category, Punia stressed the importance of the Sports Ministry promptly resuming wrestling activities to secure the future prospects of athletes.
In a recent development, the ad-hoc committee appointed for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) relocated the WFI office from the residence of former President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP Member of Parliament (MP). This move marks a shift in administrative dynamics within the federation.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Bajrang Punia Decides to Return Padma Shri Award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
ALSO READ | Bajrang Punia Leaves Padma Shri Award Outside PM's Residence
