From wrestlers' protest to WFI elections: Timeline
The protesting wrestlers had also threatened return their medals and awards, including the Padma Shri, to the government after they were allegedly mistreated by the Delhi Police on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of fellow-grapplers, coaches and officials, who have assembled for the nationals, were stunned when news trickled in that Nisha Dahiya had been shot to death outside an academy in Sonipat.
India's young wrestlers Anshu Malik and Sonam Malik produced impressive performances in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
Following their meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the protesting wrestlers have agreed to suspend their protest for a week.
'Resigning as president of Wrestling Federation of India is not a big deal for me, but I will not resign as a criminal.'
If CAS rules in Vinesh's favour, she will be awarded a joint-silver in the women's 50kg freestyle category.
'I also have full faith in the Government of India, who I am sure will take the correct step in the right direction in this regard. However, as the IOA President, I sincerely hope the athletes, under no circumstances, are denied their rights'
After seeking a delay in the Asian Games trials, the protesting wrestlers have now written to the Sports Ministry.
Besides legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the panel includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav.
India's wrestlers received a welcome boost ahead of this month's Asian Games after the federation got automaker Tata Motors as their principal sponsor on Wednesday.
Sanjay Singh claimed that the veteran wrestlers who have been protesting do not want junior wrestlers to progress
'These three wrestlers (Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik) are indirectly or directly part of the Congress.'
Only one male and five female wrestlers qualified for the upcoming edition. Here's a look at the strength and weakness of all the six contenders.
Olympian Deepak Punia skipped the national trials, in Patiala on Saturday.
The protesting wrestlers also said that they will oppose holding of competitions if Singh is involved in their organisation.
Mehta said statements of four complainants, including the minor, has been recorded under section 161 of the CrPC in the case.
A day after calling off their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the wrestlers expressed intent to take part in the Asian Games selection trials.
Wrestlers' protest take political colour, farmer leaders also support athletes
Vinesh makes public letter to sports ministry amid controversy over Asiad, World Championship trials.
'Vinesh you are a gold medalist of courage and morality.'
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in a tweet, requested people not to put objectionable slogans or hashtags on social media that harm the dignity of political parties or communities, among others.
Sanjay Singh, the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, on Wednesday exuded confidence of sweeping the much-delayed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, saying the fraternity knows who would be beneficial for the sport and who could inflict damage to it.
Sheoran, it is learnt, has the backing of the six wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, who led the protests against Brij Bhushan at Jantar Mantar.
All these male politicians are unlikely to risk their sinecures to speak up in support of a bunch of women wrestlers who have chosen to challenge a politician who appears to have the ruling regime in a stranglehold, points out Kanika Datta.
On Wednesday, Thakur asked the protesting wrestlers not to take any step that could undermine sports or hurt players, and said appropriate action will be taken once the probe into their allegations is completed. He also urged the wrestlers to be patient and have faith in the apex court.
Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com captures all the action at the Indian Sports Honours 2023 event in Mumbai on Thursday night.
The Sports Ministry said the suspended Wrestling Federation of India has no authority to conduct the Senior National Championships.
Here are some of the controversies, which cast a shadow on Indian sport as the athletes prepared for the Asian Games.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) has invited suggestions from all stakeholders and general public for improving performance of India in Olympics and other mega sports events. It has already been announced that government will create a Special Task Force keeping in mind 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Showering praise on Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said these "daughters" were the saving grace of India at the Rio Games. Speaking at the inaugural function of Sauni irrigation project in Sanosara (Gujarat), Modi touched upon several social issues plaguing the country including gender-based discrimination.
Yogeshwar questions 'unfair' trial exemption given to 6 wrestlers by IOA ad-hoc panel
Vinesh Phogat returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the government protesting against the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Singh.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and accused the government of 'protecting' WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women grapplers.
Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the chairman of the panel with hockey Olympian M M Somaya and former international shuttler Manjusha Kanwar being the other two members.
'The Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur) should speak out. The Prime Minister should speak out, there should be resignations, and heads should roll immediately.'
Prem Chand Lochab's election to secretary general's post is in violation of WFI's constitution and he is now preventing the growth of wrestling in the country by demanding a postponement of the junior Nationals, said Darshan Lal, who had lost to him in the recent polls, on Saturday.
Vehicles entering Delhi were being checked and pickets were increased at Delhi-Ghazipur, Tikri and Singhu borders.
Birj Bhushan loyalist Sanjay Singh becomes new WFI president
Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia on Thursday indicated he might withdraw from the Asian Games if all the panchayats that backed him during the protest at Jantar Mantar ask him to do so.
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