To stop me from going to Olympics, they will make me a victim of doping: Vinesh

Star female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has alleged that the Indian Wrestling Federation wants to stop me from participating in the Olympics at any cost by not recognizing my support staff. On the other hand, the federation claims that Vinesh had applied after the deadline. Vinesh has also expressed apprehension that by hatching a false doping conspiracy against me, I could be made a victim of doping. Phogat has also claimed that banned drugs could be found in the water during trial matches.

Vinesh said that the chairmen of the committee formed by her, Brujbhushan and Sanjay Singh, wanted to stop me from going to the Olympics by any means. All the coaches appointed with the teams are believed to be from Brujbhushan. It would not be wrong if I say that I will be caught in the dope test. They are not holding back from torturing us mentally. The Asian Olympic Qualifiers are starting from 19 April. I have been continuously requesting all the departments including Government of India (SAI, TOPS) for recognition of my coach and physio since a month but got no response. Without accreditation, my coach and physio will not be able to enter the competition venue. Are players’ futures always compromised like this?

What was the reaction of the wrestling federation?

“We have no objection to Vinesh taking her personal coach and physio along with her, but she herself will have to get recognition from the UWWW as the deadline for sending applications has passed,” said a federation official. He sent the application on March 18 but by then the support staff had already been registered. We have not received any order from the Sports Ministry or SAI to add or not add the name of Vinesh’s personal coach to the list.