Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik on Tuesday took on the Indian Olympic Association top brass directly, slamming them for their comments and actions on not just the ongoing wrestlers’ protest but also the entire issue of sexual harassment in Indian sports.
“All of us come from ordinary backgrounds where even getting to watch sports on television was a big deal. When I started understanding sports for the first time and heard about P.T. Usha and her achievements, I always wondered if I could ever meet her. People like Usha, Sania Mirza, Sachin sir — they were the heroes we only saw on TV or heard about and always wondered if we would ever be able to meet them in person.
“We had heard of how politics changes people and destroys relations, now we are seeing that happen. If as a woman and the IOA president you cannot understand the problems of a female athlete, what will you do with such power and position?” Sakshi questioned, talking to select media, as their protest entered the 10th day.
