Sanjay Singh on Thursday became the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with his panel comfortably winning most of the posts in the delayed polls as outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gained indirect control over the sports body.
The much-delayed elections to the Wrestling Federation of India were finally held on Thursday with little surprise and the results and responses on expected lines as the supporters of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh swept into power with a thumping majority.
Sanjay Kumar Singh from Uttar Pradesh was elected president with 40 votes against seven for former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anita Sheoran as 13 of the 15 posts to which elections were held were won by the loyalists of former president Brij Bhushan. The results meant Brij Bhushan continues to hold sway over the sport – the newly-elected president barely spoke and made Brij Bhushan’s residence his first port of call after his victory, where the former president held fort.
Even the two posts that ostensibly went to the rivals – Senior vice-president Devender Kadian and secretary general Prem Chand Lochab of RSPB – were claimed as ‘our people’ by Singh who spoke at length at how the new federation was expected to work even as none from among those who were elected did.
“We will try to hold nationals in age-group competitions and national camps to make sure the year is not wasted. Other than that, those wrestlers who want to play will be on the mat, those who want to do politics will be replied to in the political arena,” was all Sanjay Kumar said over the din of hundreds of supporters who thronged the Indian Olympic Association office all day.
Posing with Sanjay – their association goes back decades -- at his residence, Brij Bhushan declared that the elections had been held as per everyone’s wishes. “No one from my family or relatives contested. Those who participated and won were decided by federation officials and elections were held as per the constitution and approved norms and guidelines. The result proves what people in wrestling want across the country and more than 90 percent of wrestlers across akhadas in the country are happy today,” BBS Singh said.
Less than a kilometre away at the Press Club of India, the three wrestlers who were the face of protest against Brij Bhushan – Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia – held a press a conference expressing their disappointment that abruptly ended in Sakshee declaring her decision to quit the sport, dropping her wrestling shoes on the table and leaving in tears.
“It took us years to gather courage for the protest but we all know the result today. The government’s commitment also has not been fulfilled, we wanted a woman president but today not one woman has been elected, which proves women have never had any role in Indian wrestling. We will thank everyone who supported us through the protests but if the president now is someone close to Brij Bhushan, then I give up wrestling on this stage today,” Sakshee announced.
“We were fighting against the harassment of women wrestlers. Many were saying we are finished but we were also active wrestlers and winning medals for the country, you can pick up our records in the last few years. I don’t think we will get justice – initially there were 15-20 complainants, that’s gone down to six now and they are trying to break them also. But we still have faith in the judiciary,” Bajrang hoped while Vinesh shrugged that their worst fears had come true.
“They were saying from the start that they will win, we know their power and position but it is sad that such people are getting such positions in the country. Sanjay Singh is closer to Brij Bhushan than even his own son. I feel sad that we could not bring any improvement in Indian wrestling. From roads to mats to closed doors, we told everyone what was happening but still people who harass women are being elected, I don’t know how to get justice in our country,” she wondered.
The elections had earlier been scheduled for August 12 before a last-minute stay halted the process, vacated by the Supreme Court on November 28. “We were confident our supporters will win because of the work we have done for Indian wrestling. But now I am not involved any more. They can always consult me if needed but I will only request the new federation to hold at least the Cadet and Junior Nationals before December 31. I hope the new federation will do even better than us,” Brij Bhushan declared.
But that didn’t stop him from refuting any concerns over the careers of those protesting on behalf of the new body. “All decisions will be taken on the basis of wrestling on the mat, not any mistake done outside. There will be no discrimination, everyone will get the same support,” he declared magnanimously.
The elected members: President – Sanjay Kumar Singh; senior vice-president: Devender Kadian 32; vice-presidents: Kartar Singh, Asit Kumar Saha, N. Phoney 38, Jai Prakash 37; secretary general: Prem Chand Lochab; treasurer: Satya Pal Singh Deswal; joint-secretaries: BG Shetty, RK Purushotham 36; executive members: Prashant Rai, Rajnish Kumar, M. Loganathan 36, N. Khatsil 35, Ummed Singh 34.
