New Delhi: The Central Government has approved the training of Olympic medalist wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat in Kyrgyzstan and Hungary under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Bajrang and Vinesh were leading the agitation going on for the last few months against the outgoing President of the Indian Wrestling Federation, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. Both had sent the proposal to the TOPS team of the Sports Ministry, which was accepted within 24 hours.
According to a release issued by the Sports Authority of India here, Bajrang will attend a 36-day training camp in Kyrgyzstan, while world championship medalist Vinesh will attend an 18-day training camp in Hungary after a week’s training in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Vinesh will be accompanied by her physio Ashwini Patil, practice partner Sangeeta Phogat and coach Sudesh while Bajrang will be accompanied by coach Sujit Mann, physio Anuj Gupta, practice partner Jitender, and conditioning specialist Kazi Hasan.
Will bear the expenses of the wrestlers
The government will bear the air tickets, boarding and lodging expenses, camp expenses, local transport, and other expenses of Vinesh, Bajrang, their practice partners, and coaches. While the rest of the support staff will be borne by the Olympic Gold Quest. Both will leave in the first week of July.
There are allegations of sexual harassment against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh
6 women wrestlers have made allegations of sexual harassment against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh. In this case, the Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Sangeeta Phogat are the main faces among the agitating wrestlers. These wrestlers staged a sit-in at Jantar Mantar for about one and a half months.
