He said, ‘I have said that I will not contest for the post of president, I have not said that I will not contest.’ Brij Bhushan is now 66 years old and will have to undergo a four-year ‘cooling off period’ (not holding any position for four years) to be eligible to contest for the post of office-bearer. However, he is likely to continue as a member of the five-member executive committee of the WFI.
Brij Bhushan’s cooling-off period will be completed in 2027 and by then he will be 70 years old and as per the Code, the age rule will apply to him and he will not be able to contest elections. It will be interesting to see if his son Karan will contest for the post of WFI President. He is currently the president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association. Asked whether he was allowed to attend the AGM in view of the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against him by the country’s top wrestlers, Brij Bhushan said he followed the rules. Worked under.
“I was asked in writing to stay away from work for three weeks which was later extended to six weeks and I did so. I was present in the hearing of the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) and the monitoring panel. I can now work as WFI office bearer. There is no question of breaking any rule. Brij Bhushan said, ‘The findings of the committee are with the government and I am waiting for the report.’
Several top wrestlers of the country including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Sarita Mor had accused the WFI chief of sexually harassing women wrestlers and threatening players. Brij Bhushan said that what the wrestlers said during the hearing was ridiculous. He said, ‘I couldn’t stop laughing at what these wrestlers said. If I had done something wrong with Sakshi Malik then why would she invite me to her wedding. He used to come to me with his personal and family matters.
Brij Bhushan said, ‘He used to sit with my son and daughter-in-law and have food together. Now all of a sudden they started alleging that I harassed them. If it was so, then why did he come to my house.’ The WFI chief said once the issue is resolved, the federation will not have any vendetta in its mind. He said, ‘Not only the protesting wrestlers, there are many people who cannot face me now. But if they want to play, the process for everyone will be the same as before. All eligible players can compete but WFI will not exempt any wrestler from Olympic trials even if that wrestler has secured quota in that category.
Brij Bhushan said, “If Bajrang gets the Olympic quota, he will have to compete with the winner of the national trials to play in the Olympics. Even if he loses, he will be given a chance to compete again after 15 days and make a place in the Indian team.
“There will be no discrimination of any kind. I haven’t done anything wrong. These wrestlers were made pawns, someone else is behind the controversy. Wrestlers were used. I haven’t spent a single day feeling guilty. I kept doing my work and the federation will continue to work even if I am a part of it or not.