Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik (file photo)
– Photo: Social Media
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Wrestlers who have accused former Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment have urged Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to hold the trials for the Asian Games and the World Championships after August 10. The ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee to consider the demand of the wrestlers sympathetically. On the other hand, the IOA has sought approval from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Friday to send the entry with a delay of one month.
6 including Vinesh, Bajrang, Sakshi wrote letter
Vinesh Phogat (53 weight category), Bajrang Punia (65 weight category), Sakshi Malik (62), Satyawart Kadian (97), Sangeeta (57) and Jitender (86) have written to the Sports Minister that they have been suspended for being on strike. Some more time is needed to prepare for the trials for the Asian Games and World Championships to be held in Hangzhou (China) from 23rd September. The trial should be conducted after August 10.
Trial dependent on OCA approval
The last date for sending entries with names for the Asian Games is July 15. The ad-hoc committee is seeking trial before this, but after the letter written to the Sports Minister, the ad-hoc committee is confused. The IOA has written to the OCA requesting it to allow entries with wrestling names to be taken by August 15. If approved, the trials will be held after August 10. If not found then there is no option left except trial before 15th July.