New Delhi: Amid an outrage by wrestlers fratenity over direct entry of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, another top grappler Sakshi Malik said she never demanded exemption from trials and will never do so in future.
In a video message posted on her Twiiter handle, Malik responded to the news that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia got entry to the Asian Games without trials. She informed about getting a call from the government asking her to send a mail to help her getting the direct entry like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia but, she claimed, she denied.
Malik insisted that she never went on any tournament without qualifying the trials and neither she would never do that in future.
“As you all know, we had requested the government for additional time for preparing for the Asian Games. We had requested them to hold our trials after August 10, and the government gave us time as well, following which we came out here for training. But, over the last 3-4 days, it has emerged that direct entries are being sent for two weight categories,” said the top grappler who led the wrestlers’ protest along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat.
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“I only want to say that everyone should get justice and a chance for fair selections,” said Malik.
Vinesh Phogat didn’t achieve anyone in one year: Antim Panghal
Meanwhile, current Under 20 Champion Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal among other wrestlers have questioned the controversial decision taken by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Ad-Hoc panel.
Earlier on Tuesday, the ad-hoc panel gave a direct ticket to the two wrestlers, bothering their fellows to ask “what is special about them.” In a video message Antim Panghal who is in the same category of Vinesh Phogat said, “Vinesh does not have any achievements in last one year. Last year, at teh Junior World Championships, I won a gold medal and became the first woman wrestler from India to achieve this feat.”
