PT Usha assures support days after 'indiscipline' remark, Sharath backs athletes

Hours after IOA President PT Usha on Wednesday assured the grapplers of her support tabletennis great and vicechairperson of IOAs Athletes Commission Achanta Sharath Kamal stressed the importance of the need for an athletes body in all National Sports Federations NSFsWrestlers including Bajrang Punia Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik are sitting on a protest in the national capital since April 23 demanding the arrest of WFI chief and BJP MP Brish Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of seven wrestlers including a minorSharath who was awarded the Khel Ratna last year for his exemplary performances in table tennis especially at the Commonwealth Games last year feels trust needs to be built between the AC and athletes for the latter to ask for help in times of needThe Indian Olympic Associations IOA Athletes Commission AC which was formed last year had met virtually on Saturday to discuss the wrestlers protestThe AC had a meeting to discuss on several things like having a forum for the athletes on different topics organising workshops and activities The other important agenda was to talk to IOA on having athletes commissions in all NSF so we can strengthen athletes voices Sharath who chaired the meeting in Mary Koms absence told PTIAlso Read Nonprotesting wrestlers demand resumption of camps amid worries over Asian GamesThe athletes could not only need help in matters of sexual harassment they should able to approach AC on any issue they are facing We discussed the current issue with the wrestlers and we were unanimous in showing solidarity to the athletes first as they are on the streets fighting for justice And currently the issue is up to the judiciary its beyond the IOA and the IOAs AC he said furtherThe ACs silence on the protests triggered a massive uproar but Sharath said AC issuing a statement in support of the wrestlers would not have made much of a difference when the matter had reached the apex court Of course we stand with the wrestlers and we had said that at time of the protest in January but now the matter has reached the Supreme Court it is beyond any of us It is tough to see the wrestlers on the streets and as a fellow athlete and I hope the issue is resolved at the earliest It also shows that we need to build trust with all our athletes so they can approach us in times of need said the 40yearoldMeanwhile days after facing criticism from all quarters for being insensitive towards the protesting wrestlers Usha met the wrestlers at the protest site to assure her support saying she was first an athlete and then an administrator Usha had come down heavily on the wrestlers for resuming their protest instead of approaching the Indian Olympic Association IOA for their issuesAlso Read Brij Bhushan blasts wrestlers claims Jantar Mantar protest is politically motivatedThough she left without speaking with the media Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said she has assured them of helpInitially when she said that we felt very bad but then she said that her comments were misinterpreted She said that she is first an athlete and then an administrator We told her that we want justice We dont have a fight with the government or opposition or anyone else We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling If this issue is resolved and if the allegations are proved then there should be legal action said PuniaWhen asked if Usha had come up with a solution from the government or from the IOA Punia said Nothing of that sort she only said that she is with usAsked if he was satisfied following the meeting with Usha he said If she is giving us assurance I suppose she should fulfil that assurance But we clarified to her that until and unless things are not okay and we get justice of which we are very hopeful this protest will continue If the things she has spoke about if there is an initiative along those lines then definitely there will be a solution to this issue She said she will try to resolve all our problems If she wants she can do anythingWith PTI inputs