New Delhi: After a 6-hours long meeting with wrestlers, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Wednesday informed that the election for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief will be held on June 30.
He said the wrestlers have demanded that current WFI chief Brij Bhushan and his associate should not be elected to the post.
Brij Bhushan Becomes Ineligible as he served 12 years
It is worth noting that Brij Bhushan has already completed his tenure this year as he was elected as the president of the federeation in 2019. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan has served 12 years in the federation as chief.
As per the Sports Code, reported Indian Express, the BJP MP has become ineligible for contesting the chief’s election. However, he have to serve cooling off period of 4 years.
But in that scenario, the 66-year old chief would not be able to run for the elections as he will be 70 by then, making him ineligible.
Internal Compalint Commitee to have a Female Head
The union minister mentioned that there were two coaches who were suggested for the IOA ADHOC committee until the elections are done. In addition to that, the wrestlers asked to form a internal complaint committee that should be chaired by a female, informed the minister.
No Protest Until June 15
Anurag Thakur called it a “optimistic meeting” where it was decided that the police will complete its probe until June 15 to submit a chargesheet in the matter.
Until then, he added, the wrestlers have said that the latter or any organisation associated to them will hold protest.
#WATCH | I had a long 6-hour discussion with the wrestlers. We have assured wrestlers that the probe will be completed by 15th June and chargesheets will be submitted. The election of WFI will be done by 30th June: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur after meeting wrestlers pic.twitter.com/9hySRefxNM
— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2023
First Round of Talks In Second Term of Wrestlers Protest
Wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia reached at Anurag Thakur’s residence today after the latter invited them for talks over the demands of protesting athletes to arrest WFI chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan for sexual charges levelled against him.
