New Delhi: Wrestler Sakshi Malik responded on Sunday to the suspension of the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India by the Union sports ministry, stating that this development is in the best interest of wrestlers. The Union sports ministry suspended the recently elected wrestling body after president Sanjay Singh announced the U-15 and U-20 nationals to take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

"Our fight was not with the government. Our fight is for women wrestlers. I have announced my retirement but want the upcoming wrestlers to get justice," Malik said while speaking to reporters in Delhi. According to a report quoting a sports ministry source, the ministry has not terminated WFI; "they just need to follow due process and rules while functioning as a sports body." Singh, a close associate of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected as the president of the wrestling body on Wednesday, after which Malik had announced that she has quit the sport.

Malik, along with other top wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had staged a prolonged protest demanding an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by BJP MP and former chief of WFI, Brij Bhushan Singh. Later, Punia also announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award in protest against Singh's appointment.Addressing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punia expressed his concerns about the current state of wrestling governance in India.

Meanwhile, reacting to the news of suspension, Sanjay Singh said he was not aware of the details. "I was on a flight, and I don't know the details. I have not even received the letter. I will first take a look at the letter and then take a step. I don't want to make a comment right now," he said while responding to media queries on the development on Sunday.

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