IOA President PT Usha Criticizes Wrestlers for Street Protests, Later Holds Meeting with Them at Jantar Mantar

On Wednesday, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, held a meeting with a group of protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. In a video shared by ANI, Usha can be seen engaged in a serious discussion with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and others. The IOA president's visit to the protest site appears to be the first step taken by the association to offer support and assistance to the wrestlers in their fight for justice against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the President of the Wrestling Federation of India, who has been accused of sexually harassing seven female wrestlers. This meeting comes after Usha had previously criticized the wrestlers for staging a street protest.

Usha claims that her comments were distorted.

After  meeting , the media attempted to speak with her, but she left without commenting. However, Bajrang Punia, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games, spoke to the press and shared that Usha had promised them assistance. "At first, we were hurt by her earlier statements. However, she explained that her words were misconstrued. She emphasized that she considers herself an athlete first and then an administrator," stated Bajrang, according to PTI.

During the meeting with PT Usha, the protesting wrestlers expressed their desire for justice. They clarified that their struggle was not against any political party, group, or individual but for the improvement of wrestling. "If these allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh are proven true, then appropriate legal action should be taken," Bajrang Punia stated. When questioned if Usha had brought any solutions from the government or IOA, Punia responded by saying that no such proposals were made during the meeting.

What were PT Usha's earlier comments?

In her earlier statement, PT Usha criticized the wrestlers for their protest at Jantar Mantar. She believed that their actions were a form of indiscipline and reflected poorly on the nation's reputation overseas. Usha had remarked, "This is an act of gross indiscipline and brings shame to the country. It establishes a negative precedent. Rather than going against the IOA's Athletes Commission, which is headed by MC Mary Kom as chairperson and Achanta Sharath Kamal as vice chairperson."

The wrestlers had responded to Usha's initial comments with disappointment. 

Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who were leading the protest, strongly criticized Usha's insensitive comment. Sakshi expressed her disappointment with the former athlete, stating that it was shameful for former athletes to not support their cause. "We are much better than people like PT Usha and Mary Kom. If former athletes such as them cannot support us, it is a matter of shame. Such challenges make us stronger. We do not want them to join us in our protest, but we want them to be truthful and support us. We have already sacrificed our training and sport, but this cause is bigger than all," remarked the Olympic medallist from Rio 2016

Vinesh Phogat had expressed her disappointment at Usha's comments and expected her to support her fellow female athletes during this difficult time. She reiterated that as citizens of the country, they had every right to protest against any wrongdoing. "We are not on the streets, we are on our country's land. This is our right. As citizens of a democratic nation, we have the right to protest. Until we get justice, we will continue to stay here," stated Vinesh.

About P.T. Usha

P.T. Usha is a retired Indian track and field athlete who has become a leading sports administrator in the country. Known as the "Payyoli Express," Usha made her name on the track in the 1980s and 1990s, winning numerous medals at the Asian Games and other international competitions. In recent years, she has taken on a new challenge as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), where she is working to promote sports and athletes across the country.

As a trailblazer in Indian athletics, P.T. Usha has spent decades pushing herself and others to achieve greatness on the track. But her dedication to sports doesn't end there. Usha has taken on a new role as the President of the Indian Olympic Association, where she is leading efforts to promote and develop sports across the country. With her deep knowledge of the sports world and her commitment to improving the lives of athletes, Usha is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Indian sports.

Few people have made as big an impact on Indian sports as P.T. Usha. From her early days as a runner to her current role as the President of the Indian Olympic Association, Usha has been a leader and a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Her commitment to excellence and her dedication to promoting sports in India have made her a beloved figure in the country's sports community, and her efforts have helped countless athletes to achieve their dreams. Whether on the track or behind the scenes, Usha is a true champion of Indian sports.

For more updates keep visiting our website www.topstoriesworld.com where we provide unbiased, true, and top stories of the world.