"It is their personal matter": WFI president Sanjay Singh on Sakshi Malik quitting wrestling
president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Sanjay Singh on Saturday stated that taking retirement is a personal call of an athlete and said he would refrain to speak on this matter.
Earlier, Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, a face of the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, announced on Thursday that she is quitting wrestling.
Her decision came within an hour after Sanjay Singh was elected as the new WFI chief, replacing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Talking to the reporters, Sanjay said it's not a crime to be close to former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh and he is not a «dummy candidate».
«Those who are athletes have already started preparing and those who want to engage in politics can do that. It is their personal matter, I will not speak about this...I have been in the federation for 12 years.
Just because I am close to MP (Brij Bhushan Singh) does not mean I am a dummy candidate. Is it a crime if I am close to him?» Sanjay told the reporters.
Meanwhile, former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that the federation will host Under-15 and Under-20 wrestling events from 28th December to 31st December.
«Because of some issues, national or state level wrestling events were paused in the country for 11 months...We have announced to hold Under-15 and Under-20 wrestling events from 28th December to 31st December...If these tournaments are not organised within 31st, one complete year of the wrestlers will be affected,» Brij Bhushan told the media.
Sakshi, distraught and emotional, broke down as she left the venue after addressing a press conference in the national capital after announcing her retirement.
