Wrestlers' protest: Oversight committee gets 2 more weeks to submit report

The government formed an oversight committee after celebrated Indian wrestlers, including accused the WFI president of sexual harassment and intimidation.

The Sports Ministry has extended the term of the Oversight Committee for Wrestling by two weeks to submit their findings and report following Indian wrestlers' complaints of sexual misconduct, financial irregularities against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

"The Ministry Of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has extended the term of the Oversight Committee for Wrestling by two weeks for submission of the report pertaining to the complaint filed by a group of wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India," said an official statement by the MYAS.

"The extension has been granted on request from the Oversight Committee," the statement added.

"The extension also applies to other functions assigned to the committee which include day-to-day administration of WFI, during the course of the inquiry," it added.

With an effort to safeguard the interest of athletes, following complaints by wrestlers of sexual harassment by the President, other officials and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India, and to promote good governance in WFI following allegations of financial mismanagement and arbitrariness by athletes, the Ministry of Sports formed an Oversight Committee to enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, levelled by prominent sportspersons.

The Oversight Committee will also undertake the day-to-day administration of WFI, during the course of the enquiry.

The Oversight Committee is headed by Khel Ratna Awardee MC Mary Kom, Chairperson, Athletes Commission, Khel Ratna Awardee Yogeshwar Dutt, executive council member, IOA , Dhyanchand awardee Trupti Murgunde, member Mission Olympic Cell, Radhica Sreeman, Ex-Executive Director, TEAMS, Sports Authority of India, Crd (Retd) Rajesh Rajagopalan, Ex-CEO, Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

What are agitating wrestlers demand?

The agitating wrestlers demanded to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Resignation of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

Dissolution of the Wrestling Federation of India.

A new committe to run the affairs of the WFI in consultation with the wrestlers.

The protesting wrestlers made it clear that they would not budge until the federation president is sacked.

Celebrated Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat and others staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar against the WFI president, accusing him of sexual harassment and intimidation.