Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Thursday said that the wrestlers’ protesting on the streets of Delhi is spoiling the country’s image and urged them to come to the athletes’ commission instead of staging a protest on the streets. Several top wrestlers of the country including the likes of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers.
The IOA is yet to complete its probe into the allegations while the government-formed oversight panel’s findings have not been made public yet. Frustrated with the three-month long wait, the wrestlers returned to Jantar Mantar to resume their agitation on April 23, and also approached the Supreme Court, demanding arrest of the WFI boss.
“Our feeling is that for sexual harassment complaints, IOA has a committee and athletes’ commission. Instead of going to the street (again), they should have come to us, but they have not at all come to IOA,” Usha told reporters after the sports body’s executive committee meeting in Delhi.
The IOA President added, “Wrestlers staging protest on streets amounts to indiscipline. It is tarnishing the image of India. The players should not have protested on the streets. They should have at least waited for the report of the committee. What they have done is not good for the game and the country. It is a negative approach.”
IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said, “These are serious allegations, we can’t take a decision in haste. If we can have a little bit of patience and see what is coming out from these committees, then we will be able to comment, but right now, we just discussed day-to-day administration of WFI.”
Chaubey also confirmed that the IOA, as instructed by the sports ministry, has formed a three-member ad-hoc panel to manage the affairs of the WFI.
“Bhupendra Singh Bajwa will represent IOA executive council in the ad-hoc panel while Suma Shirur is a woman athlete and also a SOM (Sportsperson of Merit). They will be in charge of WFI’s day-to-day activities,” said Chaubey.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter on Friday.