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Wrestlers Sakshi, Aman and Geeta launch Wrestling Champions Super League | Other Sports News

VaselineSeptember 16, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Aman Sehrawat Olympic Games in Paris

4 min read Last updated: Sep 16, 2024 | 6:57 PM IST

Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Aman Sehrawat, along with former world bronze medallist Geeta Phogat, announced on Monday that they will soon launch a Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) for the country’s budding wrestlers. However, they have yet to receive support from the national federation.

Sakshi, along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, led the wrestlers’ protest against the ousted Indian Wrestling Federation president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.

However, she has distanced herself from the latter two after they took the political plunge by joining the Congress ahead of the Haryana state assembly elections next month.

She won the 58kg bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics and announced the project with Phogat, a 55kg bronze medalist at the 2012 World Championships, via their social media accounts. The two, while announcing they had Paris Games bronze medalist Aman on board, did not provide details.

Phogat told PTI that she is hoping for support from the federation and the government.

“Sakshi and I have been planning this league for a long time. It will take a final shape soon. We have not spoken to the WFI yet, but it would be great if the WFI and the government support us. It will be the first league to be run solely by the players,” Phogat said.

“We are doing it for the players, for their benefit. That is the idea and the vision, so nobody should have a problem with it. It is a proud moment for us. We will not stop anybody from getting involved, if WFI or the government joins, even better. We have not spoken to them yet.

“There will be international wrestlers and coaches involved, so it should help our junior wrestlers. They will get good exposure.”

When asked if there is any prize money involved, and about the format and location of the event, Phogat said, “You will have to wait a while to know all this. We will share the details soon.”

Sakshi, who retired from wrestling after Sharan Singh’s close associate Sanjay Singh became the head of WFI, said she hopes to give something back to the sport through this initiative.

“The only way to repay your trust is to use our athletic talent, experience, courage and success for the sport. That is why the two of us have come together to create the Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL),” she posted on X.

“The WCSL, a world-class international competition, will train and empower our wrestlers to dominate the sport globally by competing against the best wrestlers in the world in a highly competitive, expertly coached environment with the best support systems.”

She also said that Sehrawat, who won bronze in the 57kg class at the Paris Olympics, “shares our vision and is joining us on this journey.”

“This competition is a very commendable initiative which will help Indian wrestling immensely. Hence, I would like to be a part of it and fully support it,” said Sakshi.

Geeta is the daughter of renowned wrestling coach Mahavir and niece of Vinesh, who is contesting from Julana constituency in Haryana.

Sakshi said the aim of the competition is to create a culture of sustained excellence in sports in the country.

“While WCSL is focused on wrestling, it is also inspired by our overwhelming urge to create a culture of sustained excellence in Indian sports and motivate every Indian to experience the joy of playing.

“Although the WCSL was founded by the two of us, it is a national mission that is committed to respecting all stakeholders and working closely together. After all, winning is a team sport. Our hearts beat only for India, for Indian wrestling and for Indian sports.

(Only the headline and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First publication: Sep 16, 2024 | 6:57 PM IST

VaselineSeptember 16, 2024
0 3 minutes read

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