Sakshi Malik Vows to Quit Wrestling, Says Won’t Compete Under Bhushan’s Ally

#BajrangPunia says don't think daughters will get justice over Sanjay Singh's election as WFI President

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are among the wrestlers who protested against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

(Photo: PTI)

Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik threatens to quit wrestling following Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist's election as the new Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President.

Sakshi, who had qualms about Sanjay Singh, the current president of the WFI, said she would quit wrestling if allies of former President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh hold the position.

"We fought wholeheartedly. If the President is someone like Brij Bhushan...somebody who is his business-partner and his ally a part of the federation then I'll quit wrestling," said Sakshi in a press conference.

"In the end, we slept for 40 days on the roads but I’d like to thank the several people of our country who came to support us during the protests earlier this year. We wanted a female president, but that did not happen," she added.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia too expressed disappointment on Singh's appointment and said that he doesn't believe the daughter of the country will ever get justice.

"We were fighting for truth and women, else we were also active athletes and winning medals for the country. I don't think the daughters will get justice because the way this system has worked, efforts are being made to break the daughters. Still, we have faith in the judiciary," said Bajrang as he addressed the media.

“It’s unfortunate that the government did not stand by its word that no Brij Bhushan loyalist will contest the WFI election,” Bajrang remarked, adding that he wasn't sure if he wanted to pursue his profession further.

Earlier today, Sanjay Kumar Singh, a close aide of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was deposed following a lengthy agitation by a group of grapplers defeated 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anita Sheoran by a massive margin of 40-7 to win the election for the presidential post.

"It is obvious to feel good because truth has won over lie. Those who want to be wrestlers, they can come wrestle. Those who want to be in politics are free to do so. But politicians will be answered in the field of politics," he told media after emerging victorious.