Following Sanjay Singh's decisive win in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, a seismic shift reverberated through the wrestling community.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI President accused of sexual harassment by notable Indian wrestlers, remained resolute in his assertion that "dabdabad to rahega" (the upheaval will continue).
Sanjay Singh's triumph, securing 40 out of 47 votes and defeating Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Anita Sheoran, sparked controversy. Wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, who had vehemently protested against Brij Bhushan, rallied behind Sheoran. Despite their efforts, Singh's victory indicated a continuity in the existing leadership.
Unfazed by the allegations against him, Brij Bhushan hailed the victory as a triumph for the country's wrestlers. He expressed optimism that wrestling activities, paused for 11 months during the protests, would now resume under the new leadership.
"A message has been sent. Every akhaada (wrestling academy) in the country is celebrating. Dabdabaa tha, dabdabaa rahega! I want to credit the victory to the wrestlers and the electors of the country. I want to express my gratitude to the government as well. The elections were conducted as per the Supreme Court's instructions... the Centre ensured elections took place, and a non-partisan person was elected president," Brij Bhushan stated.
"The 'grahan' (eclipse) of 11 months on wrestling is over. Within 10 days, the wrestling landscape will change, and we will perform in the Olympics as people desire," he added.
In a surprising twist, Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, visibly disheartened by the election outcome, symbolically placed her wrestling boots on a table during a press briefing and announced her departure from the sport. Her dramatic exit underscored the disappointment among wrestlers who had envisioned a woman leading the federation.
Expressing regret over the lack of female representation at the federation's helm, Sakshi Malik stated, "We fought, but if the new president is Brij Bhushan's aide, his business partner, then I quit wrestling."
The wrestling community now faces not only the implications of the election but also the departure of a celebrated athlete, signaling a challenging chapter for the future of Indian wrestling.
(With Agency Inputs)
Read also| Ex-WFI chief alleges material contradictions in sexual harassment case
