Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday morning visited an 'akhara' in Haryana's Jhajjar district and met a group of wrestlers.
The Wayanad MP reached the Virender Arya Akhara in the Chhara village early morning and interacted with the group of wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia.
During his visit, Rahul Gandhi even tried his hand at wrestling, Punia said.
“He came to see our routine, and tried his hand at wrestling and workout regime,” the wrestler said.
Wrestling coach Virendra Arya said Gandhi reached the 'akhara' around 6:15 am and did exercises with the wrestlers.
“Nobody told us that he's coming. We were practicing here and he came all of a sudden... He reached here around 6:15 am... He did exercise with us and then he told us about his exercise and sport. He has a lot of knowledge about sports... Nationals will take place but what would be done with this issue at hand?... What could he (Rahul Gandhi) do, only the government can do something,” ANI quoted Arya as saying.
According to reports, the Congress leader is also expected to visit the wrestlers’ arena at Mehar Singh Akhara in Rohtak.
His visit comes at a time when some of the wrestlers are protesting against the election of Sanjay Singh as the new chief of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Singh is reported as an aide of former WFI president and BJP MP
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by the protesting athletes.
On Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat decided to return her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the Prime Minister. She said such honours have no meaning when wrestlers are struggling badly for justice, PTI reported.
Her decision came after Olympic medallist Punia and Deafylmpics champion Virender Singh Yadav returned their Padma Shri awards to the government.
Sakshi Malik has also announced to quit the sport following Sanjay Singh's election as WFI president in the recently concluded polls.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Dec 27, 2023 12:01 PM IST
