Wrestlers Protest: PT Usha U-turn: Meets wrestlers, assures them of her support; UWW approves IOA’s ad-hoc committee | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After the late evening huddle at the Indian Olympic Association‘s (IOA) headquarters on Tuesday evening to salvage the lost reputation of the country’s premier sports body, Wednesday saw the IOA president PT Usha pay a surprise visit to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. She assured them of justice in their fight to bring the WFI‘s sidelined chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, to book.
In what was dubbed as a damage-control exercise after Usha’s “protest not good for the country’s image” stirred up a controversy, inviting widespread criticism, the under-fire IOA chief, a legendary track and field athlete with over 100 national and international medals to her name, met the trio of Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malik. “I am an athlete first and then an administrator,” Usha told the protesting wrestlers.

Usha, who had called for the wrestlers “to be disciplined” after she was asked about the protest on April 27, spent close to half-an-hour with the wrestlers listening to their demands and assuring them that justice will be served to them. Usha, it’s been learnt, told the wrestlers that an ad-hoc committee of IOA has taken over the functioning of the WFI and that it will ensure that the wrestlers’ future and their participation in international events won’t be affected.
When Usha was walking towards the protest site, some people raised slogans against her but the situation was quickly brought under control by the Delhi police personnel stationed at the site. Usha left without talking to the mediapersons. The IOA did not come up with an official statement, but Bajrang, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, told reporters that Usha had clarified to them that her words were earlier “misinterpreted”.

“We told her that we felt bad about what she had said earlier. She said that her comments were misinterpreted. She told us that she is an athlete first and then an administrator. We told her that we want justice. We are not fighting with the government or for any opposition’s cause. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling and to ensure that India’s daughters get justice against Singh. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against Singh) are proven, then there should be legal action against him,” Bajrang said.
“Usha ma’am has extended full support to us. She is a sporting legend and we respect her. Better late than never,” he added.
Vinesh, the reigning CWG and Asian Games champion said Usha felt disappointed watching them sitting on the streets. Ironically, it was Usha who had scolded the wrestlers for sitting on the streets and protesting a week ago. “She said you are athletes and your place is in the training hall, not here. She wants to see us compete and win medals for the country. She feels disappointed that we are sitting here. Whoever comes here will be respected. We are glad that she supported us. She said such investigations take time. We asked her to run the federation and conduct Nationals and other competitions away from Brij Bhushan’s shadow. She is also a Rajya Sabha MP, so we asked her to raise our voice in the parliament,” Vinesh added.
Yes, we have booked hotel rooms
The wrestlers admitted on Tuesday that they have booked hotel rooms nearby so that the female athletes can go there and change. The clarification came after some photos of Bajrang and his wife, Sangeeta Phogat, sitting in a restaurant and having a meal went viral on social media. “Girls can’t change on the road. We have booked some rooms nearby which we use to wash and change,” said Bajrang. Sakshee added: “All the rumours that we don’t sleep here are baseless. Anybody is welcome to come here anytime and check.” Vinesh accused the Delhi police of spreading lies about them. “This morning some people from a NGO wanted to come here to express solidarity with us but Delhi police sent them back saying no one is sitting here. They were told that we leave from here in the evening and come back by 11-12. Then, some people told those kids that we are sitting here. Police is trying to mislead the people and indulge in petty acts.”
UWW approves IOA’s ad-hoc body
In a late evening development, the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing body, gave its go ahead to the IOA’s two-member ad-hoc body to run its day-to-day affairs and conduct the federation’s elections. Informing about the same, IOA’s joint secretary and acting CEO, Kalyan Chaubey, came up with an office order, stating, “On May 2, 2023, the UWW also gave consent to the formation of the ad-hoc committee of WFI”. The members of the committee are Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Suma Shirur, who will be assisted by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or any High Court in India.