Rahul Gandhi: Following protests against the new Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and the Sports Ministry’s subsequent suspension of the federation’s newly-elected body, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met Bajrang Puni and other wrestlers in Haryana on Wednesday.
Rahul Gandhi’s Meet with Wrestlers Unfolds
In Chhara village, Rahul Gandhi met the wrestlers. Deepak Punia, a villager and gold medallist from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, was also in attendance. The venue of the meeting was Virendra Akhara, which is also where Deepak and Bajrang began their wrestling careers.
Rahul Gandhi Observes Wrestlers’ Daily Regimen in Chhara
According to Bajrang Punia, Rahul Gandhi went to the Chhara arena to watch the wrestlers’ daily workout regimen and even engaged in a wrestling match with him. “He came to see how the daily life of a wrestler goes. He wrestled and exercised with me. He also made videos of his visit to the arena,” the wrestler told India Today. Like Bajrang Punia, Virendra Akhara’s coach said that the Congress MP picked up wrestling skills.
Rahul Gandhi Learns Point Calculation and Techniques
“He learnt the techniques of wrestling, such as how points are received and how they are calculated. He ate millet breads and green curry… We told him that children these days are going through various mental problems. However, is there anything in Rahul’s hands? Everything is in the hands of the government,” the coach told India Today. Rahul Gandhi’s visit followed the Sports Ministry’s Sunday (December 24) suspension of the WFI’s newly elected body. An ad hoc committee will be established by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to supervise the day-to-day operations and management of the WFI.
Sports Ministry Acts Three Days After WFI Office Bearers Election
Three days after the WFI’s office bearers were elected, the Sports Ministry suspended the organisation, citing a “compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office bearers”. Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Sports, has written to the IOA requesting control of the WFI. In a strongly worded letter, the ministry claimed that those who had previously led the federation under former chief Brij Bhushan, who was suspended over allegations of sexual harassment, continued to have an influence over the new office bearers.
Commonwealth Gold Medallist Challenge
Protesting against Bhushan’s removal, wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia applauded the WFI suspension. In an earlier interview with India Today, both reaffirmed their call for a female president. On December 21, Sanjay Singh emerged victorious in the presidential election against Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran to become the new head of the WFI. Wrestlers supported Anita for the WFI chief position and protested the election of Singh, a close Bhushan ally.
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