New Delhi: A day after wrestler Sakshi Malik hung her boots protesting the election of Brij Bhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh as the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Bajrang Punia wrote a letter to PM Modi returning his Padma Shri award. “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement,” Bajrang Punia tweeted.
The election results also hold implications for the international standing of Indian wrestling. The United World Wrestling (UWW) had suspended the WFI due to the controversies, jeopardizing the participation of Indian wrestlers in major tournaments. While the election paves the way for the suspension to be lifted, international stakeholders will remain keenly observant of the new administration’s actions.
Looking ahead, the road for the WFI remains challenging. Regaining the trust of wrestlers, addressing lingering questions about transparency and ethics, and ensuring fair competition are crucial priorities. The new WFI leadership needs to work diligently to bridge the divide within the wrestling community and create an environment conducive to the growth and success of the sport.
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