Vinesh Phogat Raises Concerns Over Gonda Tournament, Warns Government of Accountability

New Delhi, May 2026 : Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has issued a strong warning ahead of the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament, expressing serious concerns over athlete safety, fairness, and governance in the sport.

The Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist, in a video shared on social media, said she would participate in the tournament scheduled from May 12 to 14 in Gonda but cautioned that any untoward incident involving her team would hold the government and the Sports Ministry directly responsible.

“I will be attending the ranking competition along with my team and well-wishers. If anything happens to anyone, the government will be held accountable,” she said, underlining her apprehensions regarding the event.

Phogat also questioned the credibility of the tournament being held in Gonda, a region widely associated with former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She alleged that the choice of venue raises doubts about the impartiality of officiating and overall conduct.

According to her, decisions regarding refereeing, scoring, and match outcomes could be influenced, potentially undermining the efforts of genuine athletes. She also raised concerns about the transparency of procedural aspects such as weigh-ins, which are critical in wrestling competitions.

In a significant revelation, Phogat stated that she is among the six women wrestlers who had filed a formal complaint of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She noted that while she had refrained from speaking publicly earlier due to the ongoing legal proceedings, she chose to come forward now to share her experience.

“Three years ago, we raised our voices against sexual harassment. Six women wrestlers testified before the court. I am one of those victims, and our testimonies are still ongoing,” she said.

Phogat further alleged that despite Brij Bhushan no longer holding an official position in the Wrestling Federation of India, he continues to exert influence over the body’s functioning. She criticised the Sports Ministry for what she described as a lack of decisive action in addressing these concerns.

Her remarks have once again brought attention to governance issues within Indian wrestling and raised questions about athlete safety and institutional accountability.