Vinesh Phogat, an acclaimed Indian wrestler, found herself in a controversy with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The dispute revolved around Phogat’s request for her personal coach and physio to accompany her at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.
Phogat, who won bronze medals in the 2019 and 2022 World Championships and a gold in the 2018 Asian Games, accused the WFI of trying to stop her from competing in the Olympic Qualifiers. She claimed that the federation was creating logistical hurdles for her support staff.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Phogat accused WFI president Sanjay Singh of trying to prevent her from participating in the forthcoming Asian Olympic Qualifiers. She expressed fear of being trapped in a doping case and stated that she was apprehensive about the coaches appointed by the federation.
19th अप्रैल को एशियन ओलम्पिक क्वालीफाई टूर्नामेंट शुरू होने जा रहा है। मेरे द्वारा लगातार एक महीने से भारत सरकार (SAI,TOPS) सभी से मेरे कोच और फिजियो की ACCREDITATION (मान्यता) के लिए रिक्वेस्ट की जा रही है। ACCREDITATION के बिना मेरे कोच और फिजियो का मेरे साथ कम्पटीशन ARENA में…
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) April 12, 2024
WFI responds to Vinesh Phogat’s allegations
The WFI, however, denied these allegations. An anonymous WFI official stated that there was no objection to Phogat taking her personal coach and physio. The official clarified that since the deadline for accreditation had already passed, Phogat would have to get the accreditation herself from the United World Wrestling (UWW).
The official further explained that Phogat’s request came on March 18, but the federation had already registered the support staff by then. The federation was allowed to send three coaches for 10 players, and nine coaches were already in Bishkek for the Asian Championship for 30 wrestlers. The same set of coaches would be there for the Asian Qualifier where only five women wrestlers would be competing.
The official questioned the need for extra coaches, stating, “Are three coaches not enough for five wrestlers? Why send extra coaches?”. However, the official added that if Phogat wanted her personal coach in Bishkek, she could try to get it done from UWW.
WFI source added that the men’s freestyle wrestler Deepak Punia, who won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships had also requested for his personal coach to travel with him. One request for Greco Roman coach Anil Pandit was also received.
“They had also sent similar emails but we did not have any instruction from the government if they needed to be accommodated. It’s not that Vinesh is being singled out. We have been fair to all,” the source concluded.
Phogat was one of the three top wrestlers of the country who led a protracted protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers.
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