Now Young Wrestlers Raise Tough Questions: Will Star Wrestlers On Protest Compensate For Our Loss?

The tussle between senior wrestlers and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan over the sexual harassment allegations has impacted the careers of thousands of budding wrestlers. Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakashi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, who made the nation proud at the Asian Games, Olympics, and Commonwealth have been demanding action against Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan for allegedly molesting female wrestlers for months now.

Meanwhile, fresh elections for WFI happened, Sanjay Singh became the new President, and in only days after his election, the Sports Ministry suspended the newly-elected body over misconduct.

But between all this uproar, nobody thought about the young players who have a crucial year at stake and have been preparing for U15 and U20 nationals. How the decision of not conducting national competitions will impact the athletes? Many players might not get another chance following age restrictions for such competition.

These question were raised by junior players from across the country especially Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh who protested at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday against the current scenario and blamed Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia for hindering their careers.

With placards in their hands carrying photos of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia's photo, these young wrestlers chanted 'UWW, save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers.'

National Camps and Competitions On Indefinite Hold:

Though the Ministry of Sports has formed an ad hoc committee, under the eye of the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), to look into WFI-related issues, all competitions have been put on hold for an indefinite period for now.

Expressing concerns about their careers young wrestlers asked how will they reach bigger platforms if they didn't get facilities to practice. Senior players should mentor us and not indulge in politics.

"Senior wrestlers should support and foster the promotion of the sport, instead they are discouraging it...No championships have taken place since last one year, do they expect us to reach the Olympics without participating in championships?" said a young wrestler who has been practicing for the last 5 years.

The burning question that young athletes want to ask the Ministry of Sports, WFI, Ad Hoc Committee and most importantly their Senior team members - how one year of their career will be compensated now?