Table tennis great and vice-chairperson of IOA’s Athletes Commission Achanta Sharath Kamal says the ongoing protests by India’s wrestlers has underlined the need for an athletes’ body in all National Sports Federations (NSFs). Wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik are sitting on a protest in the national capital since April 23, demanding the arrest of WFI chief and BJP MP Brish Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of seven wrestlers including a minor.
The Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Athletes Commission (AC), which was formed last year, had met virtually on Saturday to discuss the wrestlers’ protest. Sharath, who was awarded the Khel Ratna last year for his exemplary performances in table tennis, especially at the Commonwealth Games last year, feels trust needs to be built between the AC and athletes for the latter to ask for help in times of need. The wrestlers chose to hit the streets and did not approach the IOA, which was not taken well by president P T Usha. “The AC had a meeting to discuss on several things like having a forum for the athletes on different topics, organising workshops and activities.