United International Wrestling (UWW) is not going to intervene within the pending case on the subject of the alleged sexual harassment of Indian girls grapplers via former WFI leading Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh however will “listen to the voices of athletes” in the event that they method the sector frame once more, its leading Nenad Lalovic stated on Monday. Seven wrestlers, together with Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Asian Video games gold winner Vinesh Phogat, had alleged that Singh had sexually pressured feminine grapplers.
The Delhi police had filed a rate sheet in opposition to Singh on June 15. Next extended protests, led via Vinesh, Bajrang and Sakshi, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in opposition to the six-time MP beneath diverse sexual offence fees.
The UWW additionally suspended the Wrestling Federation of Bharat (WFI) for no longer engaging in elections within the given pace body.
“We followed all that happened during the wrestlers’ protest and so on. We have concerns about the well-being of our athletes. This is another possibility to have a suspension,” stated Lalovic, who was once right here to wait the 141st consultation of the Global Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Now this case is followed by the Indian authorities, and we will not interfere in that except if athletes approach us again for some reason. We listen to the voices of the athletes no matter where they come from,” he added.
He stated the abeyance of the WFI can be lifted as quickly because the elections are held.
“We will be the happiest to lift the suspension as soon as elections are held, and we know who our interlocutors are. Besides this, it’s a huge administration work behind all the activity of the federation. At this moment, the administration work is done partially by the ad hoc committee but very much by UWW,” he stated.
“Let’s hope the situation does not remain confused. There must be a hearing of the Supreme Court on the 3rd of November and after that, I believe the elections will be organized in a month or so in order to have normal governance of the federation.
“I think everything that’s been done recently is in the right direction and that will soon solve the problems of Indian wrestling,” he stated.
Lalovic made it cloudless that the WFI was once suspended as a result of there was once negative governance.
“The Ministry was obliged to impose a committee and then the ad hoc committee ruled by the IOA,” he said.
“Wrestling activities, very specifically, are difficult to be ruled from the outside. So, the people involved in wrestling should find a solution themselves in order to assist their athletes.” Lalovic said that the Indian athletes will continue to compete in international events no matter what happens on the front of WFI governance.
“India is a huge country with a huge number of athletes, but that complicates additionally the selection and preparation of athletes. For that, a strong national federation is needed, otherwise, the athletes suffer,” he said.
“By suspending the federation, we did not suspend the athletes. And you know that they are competing and will continue to compete no matter what happens,” said the Serbian businessman who is also an IOC member.
He rued his complicated position wherein he is attending the IOC Session in a country whose wrestling federation, a unit of UWW, is currently suspended.
“The WFI is not directly linked to the IOC, it’s linked through the UWW. The IOC is absolutely backing up our position and our act when it is about the actual suspension of WFI,” he said.
“You have to understand that it is very uncomfortable for me to visit India for the IOC session and my own Federation is suspended. I don’t feel very comfortable, I would like the situation to be different.”
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