Protesting Wrestlers To Skip Asian Games Unless Issues Are Resolved: Sakshi Malik

New Delhi: India may miss some of their top wrestlers in the upcoming Asian Games.

Sakshi Malik said on Saturday that she and the other protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, won’t participate in the quadrennial continental Games at China’s Hangzhou (September 23 to October 8, 2023) only if their issues are resolved.

“We will participate in the Asian Games only after all the issues will be resolved. You can’t understand what we’re going through mentally every day,” Olympic medallist Sakshi told newspersons in Hindi, as quoted by ANI.

The wrestlers have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven female grapplers including a minor.

Sakshi and the others have kept their agitation, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, on hold after meeting Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur three days ago.

“We have told the government that if action is not taken by June 15, then we will give a call for bigger protest and take a decision,” Sakshi said.

The Sports minister assured the wrestlers that police will file a chargesheet in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan by June 15, and also that WFI elections will be held by June 30.