Sakshi, together with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had spearheaded the wrestlers’ protest towards ousted Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.
Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Aman Sehrawat, together with former world championship bronze-winner Geeta Phogat, on Monday introduced that they might quickly launch a Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) for the nation’s budding grapplers however the nationwide federation has refused to sanction the initiative.
Sakshi, together with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had spearheaded the wrestlers’ protest towards ousted Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.
She has, nonetheless, distanced herself from the latter two after they took the political plunge by becoming a member of Congress forward of subsequent month’s Haryana meeting elections.
She gained the 58kg bronze in 2016 Rio Olympics, and introduced the venture with Phogat, a 55kg bronze winner in 2012 World Championships by means of their social media handles. The two, whereas asserting that they’d Paris Games bronze-winner Aman on board, didn’t present any particulars.
Phogat informed PTI that she is hopeful of help from the federation and the federal government.
“Sakshi and I have been planning this League for long. Soon it will take a final shape. We have not yet spoken to the WFI but it would be great if WFI and government support us. It will be the first league that will be operated only by the players,” Phogat stated.
“We are doing it for the gamers, for his or her profit. That is the thought and imaginative and prescient, so nobody ought to have any drawback with it. It’s a proud second for us. We will not cease anybody from getting concerned in it, if WFI or authorities comes on board, even higher. We haven’t but spoken to them.
“There will be international wrestlers, and coaches involved, so it should help our junior wrestlers. They will get good exposure.” The WFI stated it might not give its sanction to the league.
“We won’t approve it. We are reviving our pro wrestling league and hopefully we will have it soon. The wrestlers are free to do their own league, they can promote the game, but we won’t be linked with that,” WFI President Sanjay Singh stated.
Asked if there shall be prize cash concerned, and concerning the format and venue for the occasion, Phogat stated, “You will have to wait a bit to know all this. We will share the details very soon.” Sakshi, who retired from wrestling after Sharan Singh’s shut aide Sanjay Singh grew to become WFI head, stated she hopes to offer again to the game by means of this initiative.
“The only way to repay your trust is to dedicate our sporting talent, experience, grit & success to the service of the sport. The 2 of us have therefore come together to create the Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL),” she posted on X.
“The WCSL, a world class international league, will skill & strengthen our wrestlers to dominate the sport globally by taking on the world’s best in a hyper competitive, expertly supervised environment with best-in-class support systems in place.” She additionally stated that Sehrawat, who gained bronze in 57kg in Paris Olympics, additionally “shares our vision and is joining us on this journey.” “This league is a very commendable initiative which will help Indian wrestling greatly and therefore I want to be a part of it and support it fully,” Aman was quoted as saying by Sakshi.
Daughter of famous wrestling coach Mahavir, Geeta is a cousin of Vinesh, who shall be contesting from Julana constituency throughout the Haryana elections.
Sakshi stated the goal of the league is to construct a tradition of sustained excessive efficiency within the sport within the nation.
“While WCSL is concentrated on wrestling, it’s impressed additionally by our overwhelming urge to construct a tradition of sustained excessive efficiency in Indian sport & encourage each Indian to expertise the enjoyment of taking part in.
“Although based by the two of us, the WCSL is a nationwide mission dedicated to respecting & working in shut partnership with all stakeholders. Winning, afterall, is a staff sport. Our hearts beat just for India, for
Indian wrestling & for Indian sport. Come, let’s construct the sporting India of our desires mil ke, ek saath!”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA employees and is revealed from PTI)
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