BCCI President Roger Binny clarified the statement of the 1983 champions regarding the current situation of the Wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) sidelined chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment of female athletes.
Roger Binny was part of India’s 1983 World Cup winning squad and is currently serving as the President of BCCI as he replaced the former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly in October 2022 to head the Indian Cricket Board.
Speaking to PTI, Roger Binny revealed that he didn’t release any statement regarding the ongoing Wrestling protest in the country and said that authorities are working to resolve the issue in the nation and feel that sports should not be mixed with politics.
“Contrary to some media reports, I would like to clarify that I have not issued any statement regarding the current situation of the wrestlers’ protest,” Roger Binny told PTI.
“I believe that the competent authorities are working on to resolve the issue. As a former cricketer, I believe that sports should not be mixed with politics,” he added.
Olympics Indian Medalist wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat along with other prominent wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, over sexual harassment of female athletes, including a minor.
Earlier, it was reported that the 1983 World Cup winners stated that, they were distressed and disturbed by the visuals of Indian Olympic medal winners being manhandled during the protest in the National Capital.
“We are distressed and disturbed at the unseemly visuals of our champion wrestlers being manhandled. We are also most concerned that they are thinking of dumping their hard-earned medals into the river Ganga. Those medals have involved years of effort, sacrifice, determination, and grit and are not only their own but the nation’s pride and joy,” the statement read.
Earlier, Former Indian head coach Anil Kumble too expressed his concern over the protest and struggles of the Indian Wrestlers and wants the issue to be resolved at the earliest.
“Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest,” Anil Kumble tweeted.
The active Indian cricketers are yet to comment on the controversy, as the former Indian Cricketers Robin Uthappa, Harbhajan Singh, and Irfan Pathan alongside other prominent sports personalities in the country including Sunil Chhetri, Neeraj Chopra, and Abhinav Bindra has shown their support to the Wrestlers.