Government approves participation of Indian wrestlers for Ranking Series Zagreb Open

The newly formed five-member oversight committee selected 12 women, 11 Greco Roman and 13 male freestyle wrestlers for the Ranking Series-opener.

Published : Jan 26, 2023 11:51 IST , New Delhi

Bajrang Punia, Anshu Malik and Vinesh Phogat are among the 55-member Indian squad to participate in the Zagreb Open, slated to be held from February 1-5.
Bajrang Punia, Anshu Malik and Vinesh Phogat are among the 55-member Indian squad to participate in the Zagreb Open, slated to be held from February 1-5. | Photo Credit: PTI
infoIcon

Bajrang Punia, Anshu Malik and Vinesh Phogat are among the 55-member Indian squad to participate in the Zagreb Open, slated to be held from February 1-5. | Photo Credit: PTI

The government on Thursday approved the participation of a 55-member Indian wrestling contingent including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, for the Zagreb Open Grand Prix, slated to be held from February 1-5.

The newly formed five-member oversight committee selected 12 women, 11 Greco Roman and 13 male freestyle wrestlers for the Ranking Series-opener.

Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Anshu Malik and Deepak Punia are also part of the team, a ministry release stated, adding that the government would bear the entire cost of the wrestlers.

The oversight committee was formed by the sports ministry earlier this week to investigate the charges including those of sexual harassment against the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan and also manage the day-to-day affairs of the sports body.

Headed by legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, the committee included former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, ex-badminton player and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Rajagopalan and former SAI executive director - teams - Radhica Sreeman.

However, the wrestlers had expressed disappointment that they were not consulted before the formation of the committee.

Also Read | Bajrang Punia’s former coach Shako Bentinidis slams unprofessional wrestling federation, expresses solidarity with wrestlers

Last week, Bajrang, Vinesh, Ravi Dahiya had led a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar for three days demanding the sacking of the WFI president.

The wrestlers had accused Sharan, who is also a BJP MP, of acting like a dictator and sexually harassing junior wrestlers.

However, they did not reveal the identity of the athletes who faced sexual harassment.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment