Mahavir Phogat backs Vinesh, seeks WFI dissolution

Mahavir Phogat supports Vinesh Phogat amid renewed WFI row, questions tournament venue and alleges continued influence of Brij Bhushan

 The ongoing controversy surrounding the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has resurfaced, with veteran coach Mahavir Phogat publicly backing Olympian Vinesh Phogat and calling for the dissolution of the federation. His remarks come days after Vinesh alleged she was among the women wrestlers who had faced sexual harassment by former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The fresh statements have once again drawn attention to the governance of the Wrestling Federation of India, particularly as preparations are underway for the Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament scheduled between May 10 and 12 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

Support for Vinesh

Mahavir Phogat said the concerns raised by Vinesh cannot be ignored, especially given the prolonged protest by wrestlers in 2023. According to him, little has changed within the federation despite assurances of reform.

He pointed to the appointment of current WFI president Sanjay Singh, alleging that he continues to function under the influence of Brij Bhushan. “The structure remains the same. It only appears different on paper,” he indicated while speaking to reporters.

Venue raises questions

A key concern flagged by Mahavir is the choice of Gonda as the tournament venue. The district houses institutions linked to Brij Bhushan, including the college where the event is to be held.

He questioned why the tournament could not be organised in or around Delhi, where infrastructure and athlete access are significantly better. “When facilities are available closer to the national capital, shifting it to Gonda raises serious doubts,” he said.

Sources familiar with the matter said similar concerns have been raised informally by several wrestlers, particularly regarding neutrality and fairness during competition.

Call for dissolution

Mahavir Phogat went a step further, demanding that the federation be dissolved altogether. He suggested that the Sports Ministry should step in and take direct control of WFI operations until a transparent and accountable system is put in place.

He described the existing framework as one plagued by “long-standing patterns of bias and irregularities,” adding that piecemeal changes would not restore athletes’ confidence.

Vinesh’s video statement

The latest round of controversy was triggered by a video released by Vinesh Phogat earlier this week. In the video, she revealed that she is among the complainants in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan.

She also expressed reluctance about participating in the upcoming tournament, citing concerns over fairness. According to her, the control over referees, match decisions, and overall conduct of the event could remain influenced by individuals linked to the former WFI leadership.

Vinesh said she had been away from competitive wrestling for nearly 18 months but had recently resumed training with the aim of returning to the mat. However, she added that the current environment makes it difficult for athletes to compete with full confidence.

Case still in court

The allegations against Brij Bhushan date back to January 2023, when leading wrestlers including Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia staged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, accusing him of sexual harassment.

The matter is currently under judicial consideration, with testimonies from multiple complainants still being recorded. Officials have maintained that due process is being followed, and the identity of victims is protected in line with Supreme Court guidelines.

Brij Bhushan has consistently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

Uncertainty ahead

With the tournament approaching, the situation within WFI remains tense. Athletes are expected to take a call on participation in the coming days, even as calls for institutional reform grow louder.

For now, Mahavir Phogat’s intervention has added fresh momentum to the debate, bringing the focus back on accountability within Indian wrestling. Whether this leads to structural changes in the WFI remains to be seen.