‘Just because I’m close to Brij Bhushan, doesn’t mean I’m a dummy candidate’

Sanjay Singh has been appointed as the brand new Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. PTI

Newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh hit out at protesting grapplers for “engaging in politics” and asserted that he’s not a dummy candidate for the outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sanjay, who was elected as president of the WFI on Thursday, is understood to be a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who had been accused of sexual harassment by the nation’s prime wrestlers similar to Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia.

Sanjay Singh received bulk of the votes within the delayed polls, as Brij Bhushan gained oblique management over the nationwide federation.

“Those who’re athletes have already began making ready and people who need to interact in politics can do this. It is their private matter, I can’t talk about this.

“I have been in the federation for 12 years. Just because I am close to MP (Brij Bhushan) does not mean I am a dummy candidate. Is it a crime if I am close to him?,” Sanjay Singh instructed reporters when requested about Malik deciding to stop wrestling after he turned president.

A tearful Sakhi Malik introduced her determination to retire following the wrestling physique’s elections. On Friday, Bajrang Punia, who can be a Olympics bronze medallist, determined to return his Padma Shri award as a mark of protest.

A BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan had stepped down as WFI president after being accused of exploitation by prime feminine wrestlers.

Meanwhile, Sakshi posted on X how she’s apprehensive concerning the junior wrestlers who’ve been “calling me about the junior nationals”.

The new physique introduced that the U-15 and U-20 nationals will likely be held from December 28-30 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

“I’ve given up wrestling however I’m apprehensive since final night time. What ought to I do about these junior girls wrestlers who’re calling me and telling me that the junior nationals are going to be held from 28th and the brand new wrestling federation has determined to maintain it in Nandani Nagar Gonda.

“Gonda is the area of Brij Bhushan. Now imagine how the junior women wrestlers will go there to compete. Is there no place in this country to hold Nationals anywhere other than Nandani Nagar? I don’t understand what to do.”

The WFI additionally mentioned the senior National Championships will likely be held from January 28 in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar.

Trio of Sakshi, Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat had demanded that no close affiliate of Brij Bhushan ought to enter the WFI.

The three wrestlers had accused Brij Bhushan of sexually exploiting a number of girls wrestlers. They had even contemplated throwing away their medals into river Ganga on May 30 in Haridwar however the farmer leaders had satisfied them not to take the step.

(with inputs from PTI)