I and Vinesh Phogat will quit wrestling if oversight committee doesn't rule in our favour: Sakshi Malik

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Kolkata, March 6: Ace India wrestler Sakshi Malik has claimed that she and Vinesh Phogat will quit wrestling if the government-appointed oversight committee doesn't rule in the favour of the protesting wrestlers.

Top wrestlers in the country, including Sakshi, Vinesh, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya, sat on a protest in January alleging sexual harassment, intimidation and financial irregularities against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a sitting BJP MP.

The wrestlers sat on a protest in January this year at the Jantar Mantar and made serious allegations against the sporting body and its officials, triggering a massive storm.

Government initiates probe against WFI

The sports ministry set up an oversight committee for probing the charges against the WFI president, who has denied all the allegations levelled against him. Boxing great and Olympic medalist Mary Kom is heading the five-member Oversight Committee.

The Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik has now threatened that she and Vinesh have decided to quit the sport if the decision doesn't come in the favour of protesting wrestlers.

Sakshi Malik threatens to quit wrestling

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of Sports Conclave held in Kolkata, Sakshi said, "If the decision does not come in our favour and President remains as it is then we will have to quit wrestling. Both I and Vinesh have the same thinking."

Sakshi also claimed said the decision of the committee should have come earlier and despite the delay, the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal winner believes the decision will come in favour of the wrestlers.

"The decision should have come by now but they need 10 more days time and we expecting a result in our favour because we mustered a lot of courage before starting the protest. We did this because we had enough of what we are going through over the years and we don't want future wrestlers to face what we faced," said Sakshi.

Sakshi on WFI work

Though the Indian wrestler rued the delay in the decision, Sakshi went on to thank the work WFI was doing. "I am happy with the progress and I want the decision to come a bit faster because we want to be stress-free and focus on our game because Asian Games are coming and we will have the trials for it.

"So, the main thing is that the result should come fast and they are doing a fine job," added Sakshi.

"We are fighting against such a strong person and we can't go through all that again. We can't go back and face the same thing again. The tournaments, the fights etc., but why are you speaking negatively? We have never thought of losing this battle.

"We are positive that it will come in our favour. We are not doing anything wrong. We are fighting for a new fresh start," asserted Sakshi.

Sakshi Malik on Women's Day

Meanwhile, with Women's Day just around the corner, the Indian wrestler shared a special message. "Women's Day is not only for women but also the men because men have a big role to play behind those women who are working. Everyone should support their daughters, sisters and wife. For them, Women's Day should be every day, not just one single day and should encourage them to do what they want to do for their country," signed off Sakshi.