15rs medal, Read Sakshi Malik reply to WFI Chief
On Friday, Olympian wrestler Sakshi Malik slammed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly saying that protesting grapplers should return their prize money rather than medals because “they are only worth 15”.
“This demonstrates his (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s) mentality and also how much he values the athletes,” Sakshi Malik was quoted as saying by PTI.
“He said that our hard work was worth $15. He has never witnessed the fruits of our labour. He never valued wrestling or athletes”, she added.
During an interview with a local television station, Singh was questioned if the wrestlers should refund the money. “They should return the money,” the WFI chief is heard saying. The medals will cost $15 each.
Singh’s alleged statement ignited a new round of controversy. Wrestler Bajrang Punia tweeted that the WFI chief said the medal was worth $15, representing his and the other wrestlers’ 15 years of hard work.
He said the medal was not given to them as a gift but was earned by spilling blood and sweat and winning for the country.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been arrested for reportedly sexually abusing seven female wrestlers, according to India’s top wrestlers. The protest at Jantar Mantar has entered its 27th day, with no end.
On Wednesday, the protesting wrestlers and their supporters marched to the Hanuman temple and paid their respects at the Bangla Sahib gurdwara.
“It is our country’s misfortune.” Is every girl in the country necessary to stage a sit-in to obtain justice? “Can’t we punish the guilty? Our country can’t be this weak,” wrestler Vinesh Phogat said.
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