'Have taken retirement from wrestling,' says ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan after ministry suspends WFI

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday said he has "taken retirement" from the sport and the newly-elected body will now take charge as he has many more responsibilities to look into, including next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Brij Bhushan's comments came soon after WFI's suspension by the Sports Ministry till further orders.

Sanjay Singh, a close assistant of Brij Bhushan who was accused of sexually abusing female wrestlers, won the WFI election and became chairman on December 21. As Sakshi Malik announced her resignation, Bajrang Punia stated his intention to return the Padma Shri in protest of Sanjay Singh's election.

Also Read | Sports Ministry suspends WFI days after Brij Bhushan's aide sweeps polls

"I served wrestling for 12 years, good or bad only time will tell. I have taken retirement from wrestling. I am breaking my relationship with the sport. Now whatever decision has to be taken, whether to liaise with he government or handling the legal processes, those decisions will be taken by the elected members now. The Lok Sabha elections are round the corner and I have to move ahead," he said.

Brij Bhushan clarified that the decision to hold the U15 and U20 Nationals was taken in haste because he did not want the young players to lose one precious year of their careers.

"In haste, the old committee had to take the decision to organise the U15 and U20 Nationals because on December 31 the competition cycle (of year 2023) was ending and if those tournaments happen after that, one full year of the wrestlers would have gone waste," said Brij Bhushan.

With PTI inputs