Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan said – I broke ties with wrestling

New Delhi: BJP MP and former wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday broke all ties with sports and his upcoming meeting with Union Home Minister Amit will have nothing to do with it. His comments assume significance as the Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs on Sunday issued an official release saying it has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) along with its newly elected chief and other office-bearers. The Sports Ministry’s decision came soon after newly-elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announced that Nandini Nagar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gond district will host the Under-15 and Under-20 Nationals by the end of the year. The Sports Ministry described the decision as “hasty” and in “complete disregard of the Sports Code”. Bhushan later held a press conference and said, “Sanjay Singh is not my relative. I have distanced myself from the wrestling affairs of the country.” On Monday, he again confirmed that he has severed all ties with the game and will not be involved in any game-related activities.

“Whatever I had to say, I said yesterday. I have retired from wrestling administration and no longer have anything to do with the sport. As far as the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah is concerned, if it happens, we will not discuss wrestling. Sanjay Brij Bhushan told reporters, “Singh should do his work, I am doing mine. The wrestling issue is between the government and the elected federation, I have nothing to do with it.” Meanwhile, newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh objected to the earlier decision of the Sports Ministry, saying that the future of children pursuing sports is in danger and he will soon talk to the government. Singh told ANI, “We will talk to the central government, PM Modi and the sports minister. The future of our children is in danger. Some members of our executive committee will hold talks with the Centre.” On his relations with former WFI president Brij Bhushan, he said that they come from different communities but they have a bond of friendship, adding that he is fond of the former’s tenure as the head of wrestling’s apex governing body in the country.

Was joint secretary of the federation during. , “After the formation of the new federation, he (Brij Bhushan) got a farewell and today, he said that he has retired from the wrestling administration. (Olympian) Sakshi Malik has also retired. Since none of them are involved with the game anymore, let the federation run in peace. He (Brij Bhushan) and I are from different communities. So, can we be related? When he was the president of the federation, I was the joint secretary. It is the bond of friendship that has kept us close, Singh said. After the conclusion of the elections, Sanjay Singh was elected the new president of WFI on Thursday. An hour later, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik addressed a press conference and announced her retirement from the sport, claiming that the Center was back on its promise of not allowing Brij Bhushan’s aide to be elected to any post in the WFI. moved away. He placed his shoes on the table during the press conference announcing his decision to quit wrestling.