Shocking Revelation: WFI President Defends Vinesh Phogat, Demands Probe into Support Staff Failures
The President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sanjay Singh, strongly criticized the support staff of wrestler Vinesh Phogat following her disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics. Singh attributed the debacle to the support team, exonerating Phogat from any blame due to her exceptional performance. Singh commented, “Our coach and supporting staff, including the physio and nutritionist, should have ensured she did not face any issues.”
Phogat was disqualified on the morning of her medal bout after weighing 100 grams over the permissible limit. Singh, stressing the significance of the error, called for an inquiry and urged the Indian government to take strict action against the responsible parties, who he claimed had disappointed 1.4 billion people. “In the morning, I got a call indicating her weight had increased, not just by 100 grams but significantly,” he reported to News18. Despite his attempts to negotiate lenience with officials, the UWW rules were uncompromising.
Acknowledging the emotional weight of the disqualification, Singh termed it “unfortunate” given the country’s high expectations for Phogat’s victory. He expressed, “May God give her strength because she fought three matches brilliantly, and the whole country stands with her.”
In reaction to this incident, Singh called for a reassessment of training protocols, advocating for greater involvement of the federation. He suggested ensuring that wrestlers train with WFI-approved coaches who meet international standards to prevent future lapses. This call-to-action reflects a demand for enhanced oversight and accountability within India’s wrestling support framework.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/it-is-not-vinesh-phogat-s-fault-wfi-president-sanjay-singh-blames-support-staff-demands-probe-11723092709589.html
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