Ministry ‘upset’ as wrestlers raise doubts over probe panel | More sports News

NEW DELHI: A day after the government named a high-level probe panel to look into the allegations of wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the protesting grapplers launched a fresh offensive on Tuesday by expressing dismay over the constitution of the oversight committee and claimed it was formed without holding consultations with them.
The newest sign of dissent by the wrestlers has left the sports ministry upset. Sources in the ministry claimed that three names for the panel were suggested by the wrestlers themselves during the first round of discussion with sports minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday night.

‘Three names for panel were suggested by wrestlers themselves’
The names of committee chairperson MC Mary ComeSAI’s former executive director (teams) Radhika Sreeman and ex-CEO Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Cdr Rajesh Rajagopalan (Retd) were suggested by Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik during their meeting with the minister on Thursday. As demanded by them, we duly incorporated the names of these three individuals in the committee,” said a source. TOI tried reaching out to Bajrang and Sakshi for their comments but calls to them went unanswered.
It’s been learned that the wrestlers weren’t happy with the choice of former wrestler Yogeshwar Duttwho has been named in the five-member committee along with former badminton player, Trupti Murgunde. Vinesh had, on the second day of protest, stated that “Dutt was sitting in the lap of the WFI president” after she was told that he had posted videos backing Singh.
Earlier in the day, the wrestlers alleged that the oversight committee was constituted without consulting them. Vinesh, Bajrang, Sakshi and Sarita Mor all posted identical tweets.
“We were assured that we will be consulted before the formation of the oversight committee,” the wrestlers tweeted, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modihome minister Amit Shah and Thakur.

Vinesh also posted two separate tweets, which read, “Truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated” and “If the aim is big then keep your spirits high”.

It’s been learned that the oversight committee held a virtual meeting on Tuesday and the first item on the agenda was to ensure the participation of the country’s wrestlers at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series tournament from February 1 to 5.
TOI is also in possession of a letter written by the United World Wrestling, the sport’s global governing body, extending its support to the oversight committee in ensuring the smooth participation of Indian wrestlers in international competitions.
“UWW remains at disposal to assist this committee with regards to the conditions and the administration of entries in international competitions,” said the letter signed by UWW president Nenad Lalovic.