 "Sakshi Malik set for another showdown with WFI after federation blocks new league by Olympic medallist")
Sakshi Malik and the Wrestling Federation of India are set for another clash after the WFI on Monday refused to sanction a new Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) announced by the Rio Olympics bronze medallist along with Paris Games bronze medal winner Aman Sehrawat and former world championship bronze-winner Geeta Phogat.
Sakshi, along with Vinesh Phogat and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, were the faces of the wrestler’s protest against WFI and former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.
Sakshi, however, did not follow Vinesh and Bajrang into joining the Congress Party ahead of the October Haryana assembly elections.
Player operated league
Geeta Phogat announced the league on Monday and added that Sakshi and Aman are also part of the initiative.
Phogat told PTI that she is hopeful of support from the federation and the government.
“Sakshi and I have been planning this League for long. Soon it will take a final shape. We have not yet spoken to the WFI but it would be great if WFI and government support us. It will be the first league that will be operated only by the players,” Phogat said.
“We are doing it for the players, for their benefit. That is the idea and vision, so no one should have any problem with it. It’s a proud moment for us. We won’t stop anyone from getting involved in it, if WFI or government comes on board, even better. We have not yet spoken to them.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“There will be international wrestlers, and coaches involved, so it should help our junior wrestlers. They will get good exposure.”
‘We won’t approve it’
The WFI said it would not give its sanction to the league.
“We won’t approve it. We are reviving our pro wrestling league and hopefully we will have it soon. The wrestlers are free to do their own league, they can promote the game, but we won’t be linked with that,” WFI President Sanjay Singh said.
Asked if there will be prize money involved, and about the format and venue for the event, Phogat said, “You will have to wait a bit to know all this. We will share the details very soon.”
Sakshi, who retired from wrestling after Sharan Singh’s close aide Sanjay Singh became WFI head, said she hopes to give back to the sport through this initiative.
“The only way to repay your trust is to dedicate our sporting talent, experience, grit & success to the service of the sport. The 2 of us have therefore come together to create the Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL),” she posted on X.
“The WCSL, a world class international league, will skill & strengthen our wrestlers to dominate the sport globally by taking on the world’s best in a hyper competitive, expertly supervised environment with best-in-class support systems in place.”
She also said that Sehrawat, who won bronze in 57kg in Paris Olympics, also “shares our vision and is joining us on this journey.” “This league is a very commendable initiative which will help Indian wrestling greatly and therefore I want to be a part of it and support it fully,” Aman was quoted as saying by Sakshi.
Daughter of noted wrestling coach Mahavir, Geeta is a cousin of Vinesh, who will be contesting from Julana constituency during the Haryana elections.
Sakshi said the aim of the league is to build a culture of sustained high performance in the sport in the country.
“While WCSL is focused on wrestling, it is inspired also by our overwhelming urge to build a culture of sustained high performance in Indian sport & motivate every Indian to experience the joy of playing.
“Although founded by the 2 of us, the WCSL is a national mission committed to respecting & working in close partnership with all stakeholders. Winning, afterall, is a team sport. Our hearts beat only for India, for Indian wrestling & for Indian sport. Come, let’s build the sporting India of our dreams mil ke, ek saath!”
With PTI inputs
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