In a major development amid the ongoing dispute among the wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and the BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan, the Sports Ministry on December 24 suspended the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) citing a non compliance of rules and regulations which led to uproar in political spheres as well. In a response to the decision of Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia to quit the wrestling and return the Padam Shri respectively, around two dozen Khaps come in support of the wrestlers asking them to reconsider their decision and. As a sign of protest, Khap leaders are continuously holding the meetings in support of the wrestlers urging the government to come up with certain set of amendments in the WFI to ensure the favorable conditions for the nourishments of the games. The Khap leaders also said that the awards and medals of the players are of national heritage as well as importance and the future generations will take inspirations from them.
In this regard, a meeting of Faugat Khap was held here on Sunday in Dadri under the leadership of Balwant Faugat, the president of the Khap in which it was decided to ask to Sakshi Malik and Bajrand Punia to reconsider their decision for the welfare and betterment of the sports. Khap leaders said that such towering players who represented the country at international level and brought medals and the laurels to the nation are forced to take such decision which is unfortunate and humiliation.
Divulging more details in this regard, Balwant Faugat said that we demand the government of India to make certain changes in WFI for the better future of wrestling as well as the wrestling and In case scenario remains unchanged, the wrestlers will start quitting the games which is unfortunate. “ Further, it was discussed in the meeting that the government is required to come up with efforts to keep political outfit away form the WFI and the government should appoint sportspersons and women coaches at key positions in WFI instead of giving responsibility to politicians’ ‘he added. It is pertinent to mention that earlier, a meeting of more than twenty Khaps was held Saturday in Jind asking Olympic medal winners to reconsider their decision on returning Padma Shri award and retirement from wrestling respectively. Deciding to support the players, Kandela Khap president Om Parkash Kandela said that we appeal them to change their decision as the they are role models for the country as well as to the budding wrestlers and if they don’t re-introspect it will have far reaching implications on sports as well.Another Majra Khap chief Gurvinder Singh Sandhu said that such decisions will give a message that justice does not prevail leaving athletes in a state of disparity. In continuation to this, Sombir Sangwan an independent legislator who holds the portfolio of the president of Sangwan Khap also came in support of the wrestlers stating that there should be no politics in the names of the athletics and the formation of certain set of rules and regulations is the need of the hour in a bid to keep the political people away from the WFI. He said that Khaps always stood with wrestlers in their struggle for justice.
