new delhi, May 5
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh has responded to fresh concerns raised by wrestler Vinesh Phogat, taking a firm stance on issues of safety and fairness ahead of the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament. Addressing her apprehensions, Singh assured that adequate measures are in place to ensure a secure and transparent environment for all participants.
“If Vinesh is worried about her safety, let me assure her that I am taking personal guarantee of that. Also, we have UWW-approved referees who officiate and all trial bouts are recorded, so there is no chance of any bias,” Singh said in a statement, seeking to dispel doubts over the conduct of the competition.
He also defended the decision to hold the tournament in Gonda from May 12 to 14, despite calls for a change in venue. Emphasizing logistical challenges, Singh pointed out that a large number of wrestlers have already made arrangements to participate. “Do you think it is fair to change the venue and disturb the whole schedule when about 1500 wrestlers have entered the tournament and made their travel and stay arrangements and have not raised any objections regarding the venue and their safety? Why should WFI do it and put participating wrestlers to inconvenience,” he added.
The response comes after Vinesh Phogat publicly voiced her concerns about both personal safety and the integrity of the competition. In a social media video, she revealed that she is among six women wrestlers who have filed a sexual harassment complaint against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Speaking while the matter remains under judicial consideration, she stated that the legal process is still ongoing. “Three years ago, we raised our voices against sexual harassment. Six women wrestlers have already testified before the court. I am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing,” she said.
In addition to safety concerns, Vinesh also questioned the fairness and transparency of the upcoming tournament. She alleged that officiating and match outcomes could be influenced, raising doubts about whether athletes would receive fair evaluation for their performances. “Every hardworking athlete will get their due there—this is something very unlikely and almost impossible. Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give… all of this will be controlled,” she claimed.
She further expressed concerns about the integrity of weigh-ins and judging procedures, suggesting that results may not accurately reflect wrestlers’ efforts on the mat. The controversy has once again brought attention to the ongoing tensions between leading athletes and the federation, casting a shadow over preparations for a key national-level event.
