Chandigarh, May 3: Olympian Vinesh Phogat has publicly identified herself as one of the six wrestlers who lodged sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a video statement released Sunday, Phogat expressed fear that the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda will not provide a fair playing field for athletes who participated in the 2023 protests against the WFI leadership.
The tournament is set to take place on Singh’s home turf, a move Phogat asserted would allow the former president’s associates to control the outcome of matches. She noted that the selection of mat chairmen and the awarding of points could be manipulated, leaving dissenting wrestlers at a disadvantage.
“It is very tough for a girl to perform under these circumstances,” Phogat stated, pointing to the psychological pressure of competing in a location tied to the individual she accused. She maintained that the Wrestling Federation of India remains under the influence of its former chief, despite official changes in leadership. The Olympian affirmed that she could not guarantee a peak performance given the hostile environment she expects to face.
Phogat also mentioned that her participation in the Gonda meet is a vital step toward the Asian Games this September. She declared that her revelation regarding her status as a victim was a necessary step to address the “compulsions” created by the current sporting climate in India.
Responding to the claims, WFI President Sanjay Singh dismissed concerns regarding the officiating of the bouts. He stated that the federation maintains high standards for its referees and that the competition will be conducted fairly for all participants. The president further affirmed his commitment to Phogat’s personal safety, declaring that the federation would ensure a secure environment for all wrestlers throughout the three-day event.
While Phogat alleged that the Sports Ministry has remained a “mute spectator” to the situation, the WFI maintains that the national meet will proceed as planned under a panel of reliable officials.
