Vinesh Phogat questions silence of top cricketers, other athletes over wrestlers' protest
New Delhi: World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat expressed her disappointment at the silence of top cricketers and other athletes over the ongoing Wrestlers’ protest against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.
According to Indian Express, Vinesh on Wednesday spoke to them in an interview expressing her pain at the cricketers and other athletes being silent on the issue.
“The entire country worships cricket but not even a single cricketer has spoken up. We aren’t saying that you speak in our favour, but at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what pains me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…,” she said.
Bringing up the example of the ‘Black lives matter’ movement in the US where she saw all the athletes across the world including Indian athletes supported the movement to fight against racism and discrimination.
“It’s not like we don’t have big athletes in our country. There are cricketers… During the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, they showed their support. Don’t we deserve even that much,” she asked.
“You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. Abhi kya ho gaya? (What has happened now?) Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too? (Unke daal mein bhi kaala hai, yeh maan ke chale hum?),” she said.
The leading athletes should take the responsibility of cleaning up the system for the benefit of the next generations. the “entire system will collapse if all the athletes sit here in protest” and those running it “won’t be able to sleep peacefully,” the two-time World Championship medallist said.
“But if the big athletes remain silent, then what’s the point of anything at all? Every sports federation has a problem and many athletes are my friends as well. But there should be no pretensions. I go for their matches, they come for mine, we get a photo clicked together, congratulate each other upon winning a medal, put up nice messages like ‘onwards and upwards’… Athletes need to get out of the social media bubble and express real-world emotions. They should look beyond their personal gains and ask their conscience,” she added.
She said that the athletes should not congratulate them when they win a medal in the future if they don't have the courage to make themselves heard now.
The wrestlers have received little support from the sporting fraternity. Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev posted a picture of the three wrestlers on Tuesday with the caption; “Will they ever get justice?”
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and other Olympians Jwala Gutta and Shiva Keshavan have extended their support.
India’s top wrestlers have been protesting against Brij Bhushan, seeking FIR against him, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have filed separate police complaints against him.
The protesting wrestlers have moved the Supreme Court stating that the Delhi police was not registering an FIR. Supreme Court took up the case.
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Pakistan register 3-wicket consolation win over Ireland
Lauderhill (USA), Jun 16: Former champions Pakistan beat Ireland by three wickets to register a consolation win over Ireland in their inconsequential T20 World Cup match here on Sunday.
Pakistan and Ireland have already been eliminated from the tournament with India and debutants USA progressing to the Super Eight from Group A.
Left-arm pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc with the new ball, helping Pakistan restrict Ireland to 106 for nine.
Shaheen finally came to the party, albeit in a lost cause, returning with impressive figures of 3/22, while Amir scalped two wickets for 11 runs as Pakistan bowlers ignited fire on a damp pitch after electing to bowl.
Imad Wasim (3/8) bowled brilliantly while Haris Rauf (1/17) also accounted for a batter.
Gareth Delany (31 off 19) and Mark Adair (15 off 19) shared crucial 32-run stand for the seventh wicket to keep Ireland in the game.
Pakistan made a heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 5 in 9.3 overs before skipper Babar Azam (32 not out) and Abbas Afridi (17) did the repair job.
Barry McCarthy (3/15) was the pick of Ireland bowlers.
Brief Scores:
Ireland: 106 for 9 in 20 overs (Gareth Delany 31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/22, Imad Wasim 3/8, Mohammad Amir 2/11).
Pakistan: 111 for 7 in 18.5 overs (Babar Azam 32 not out; Barry McCarthy 3/15).
