WFI temporarily suspends wrestler Vinesh Phogat for indiscipline during Tokyo Olympics: Report
New Delhi, Aug 10: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday "temporarily suspended" star grappler Vinesh Phogat for indiscipline during her forgettable Tokyo Olympics campaign and also issued notice to young Sonam Malik for misconduct.
It has been learnt that Vinesh, who crashed out of the Tokyo Games in the quarterfinals after a crushing defeat by 'fall', has been given time till August 16 to reply to the notice that mentioned indiscipline on three counts.
Vinesh, who had travelled to Tokyo from Hungary where she had trained with coach Woller Akos, had refused to stay at the Games Village and train with the other Indian team members.
She also did not wear the name of the official sponsors of the Indian contingent, Shiv Naresh, and chose to wear a Nike singlet during her bouts.
"This is gross indiscipline. She has been suspended temporarily and barred from all wrestling activities. She can't compete in any national or other domestic event until she files a reply and WFI takes a final decision," a WFI source told PTI.
"WFI was pulled up by IOA why can't they control their athletes. IOA is issuing a notice to WFI in this regard," the source added.
The officials who were in Tokyo told PTI that Vinesh had created ruckus when she was allotted a room near those of her Indian team-mates -- Sonam, Anshu Malik and Seema Bisla -- arguing that she might contract coronavirus since these wrestlers travelled to Tokyo from India.
"She did not train with any of the Indian wrestlers. It appeared as if she had come with the Hungary team and had nothing to do with the Indian contingent.
"One day her timing clashed with the training timings of the Indian girls and she chose not to train at the same arena with them," the official added.
"This is not acceptable. This is not how senior wrestlers are supposed to behave."
Vinesh had entered the Games as a top medal contender but ended up suffering defeat by fall against Belarus' Vanesa.
The 19-year old Sonam has been given a notice for misconduct.
"These kids think, they have become star wrestlers and are entitled to do anything. Before leaving for Tokyo either Sonam or her family are supposed to collect their passport from the WFI office.
"But she ordered SAI officials to collect on her behalf. This is not acceptable. They have achieved nothing and are showing attitude. This will not be accepted," the official added.
Sonam also returned without a medal from her debut Olympics.
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AI should enhance human creativity: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said Artificial Intelligence must remain a tool to enhance human creativity and not replace artists, stressing ethical use, protection of intellectual property and fair compensation in the AVGC-XR sector.
He also called upon industry leaders to invest in original content, educational institutions to modernise curricula, young creators to dream fearlessly and global partners to collaborate with Karnataka.
Speaking after inaugurating the seventh edition of Bengaluru GAFX- Games, Animation and Visual Effects Conference, themed "Evolution Reloaded", here, he said Karnataka's commitment to the AVGC-XR sector was not recent or reactive, asserting, "We have been pioneers."
Siddaramaiah recalled that in 2017, Karnataka became the first state in India to implement a dedicated (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) AVGC policy.
"That decision was driven by foresight, recognising that content creation would become as powerful as code creation," he said.
"Today, GAFX represents the next great frontier. The Games, Animation and Visual Effects sector is no longer a small creative industry. In the era of digital revolution, immersive media, streaming platforms, e-sports, and extended reality, GAFX is shaping how humanity experiences stories, culture, education and even governance," he said.
The CM said the government is implementing its third AVGC-XR Policy for 2024-2029, reflecting sustained commitment to the sector.
"Our AVGC-XR Policy has provided incentives, infrastructure support, skill-building initiatives, incubation systems, and institutional collaboration to nurture this ecosystem," he said.
On Artificial Intelligence, Siddaramaiah said it is transforming content pipelines and enhancing productivity, but cautioned that it must remain a tool and not a substitute for human imagination.
"Technology should amplify human potential, not erase it. The soul of storytelling is human emotion, something no algorithm can replicate in its fullness," he said.
Calling for ethical usage of AI, he said, "Respect for intellectual property, data privacy, fair compensation, and skill upgradation must be central."
Emphasising expansion beyond Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said digital creative clusters are being promoted in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi and other emerging cities.
"We want the next great game designer or VFX innovator to emerge not only from the capital, but from every district of Karnataka," he said.
The CM said Karnataka should be known not only as the Silicon Valley of India but also as the "Creative Capital" of the Digital World.
Siddaramaiah said the state is reimagining tourism through Augmented Reality and integrating immersive AVGC-XR technologies into education, medical training through simulation, and digital preservation of cultural heritage.
He said the sector is both an economic and civilisational opportunity, empowering youth and enabling rural talent to create global content.
With the potential to create 20 lakh jobs over the next five years, the sector would generate employment across design, coding, storytelling, music, motion capture, AI modelling and production management, he said.
Calling for structured skill development, the CM said educational institutions must integrate AVGC-XR skills into mainstream education.
Outlining five strategic priorities, Siddaramaiah said the state would focus on building a future-ready talent pipeline, strengthening infrastructure, supporting startups and original intellectual property, expanding opportunities beyond Bengaluru, and building global partnerships.
While encouraging innovation in animation and gaming, he said, "We must also uphold responsibility, promoting ethical game design that avoids glorifying violence, safeguards the mental well-being of children, and encourages creativity, critical thinking and positive social values."
The chief minister assured that the government is committed to policies that protect human creators and users while empowering them with new tools.
"We will ensure that progress is inclusive. The digital revolution must not widen inequality; it must democratise opportunity," he said.
