'Triumph of truth': Family of new Wrestling Federation of India chief
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday got its new chief as Sanjay Singh’s panel won 13 of the 15 posts in the much-delayed polls.
Sanjay Singh is considered a loyalist of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexually exploiting several women wrestlers, including juniors.
His family hailed him for getting elected to the key post in WFI and said that it is the “triumph of truth”. Sanjay Singh’s mother Gyanati Devi described him as “loving, compassionate and kind”, and said that he has done a lot for women and will continue to do so.
She also said that she knows Brij Bhushan, adding that “all allegations were baseless”.
Sanjay Singh hails from Varanasi and has served as the UP Wrestling Association vice-president. He secured 40 votes in the WFI chief polls as against seven of his rival and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran.
“Our family has been organising wrestling matches as per tradition in the village. This tradition has been happening since the time of our forefathers. Sanjay has also wrestled,” his mother said.
Sanjay Singh’s wife Archana Singh claimed that he would prove to be “true to the responsibility” he has been given.
“He is of a very calm nature and does his work with dedication,” she said. Sanjay Singh’s daughter Jigyasa said that her father has been associated with the wrestling body for the last 10 years.
Sanjay Singh has two daughters.
Anuj Rai, a member of his family said that the WFI chief’s elections were a one-sided victory for Sanjay Singh. “There has been a one-sided victory. This victory is a direct slap on the face of the opponents,” Rai said.
Sanjay Singh is an RSS affiliate and a close associate of Brij Bhushan Singh. It is expected that he will consult Brij Bhushan in key policy decisions.
Meanwhile, wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, who had launched an agitation against Brij Bhushan in January this year, expressed their disappointment with the outcome of the polls.
The three wrestlers were the face of the protests against the BJP MP, whom they had accused of sexually exploiting several women wrestlers, including juniors.
