Sakshi Malik Backs Vinesh Phogat, Urges PM Modi and Sports Minister to Allow Her Return

New Delhi, May 2026 : Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has strongly backed fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat amid the ongoing controversy over her eligibility to compete, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene and ensure that Vinesh is allowed to participate in competitions and return to international wrestling.

Vinesh, who had announced her retirement shortly after her disqualification from the 2024 Summer Olympics, later reversed her decision following the birth of her baby boy last year. The former World Championships medallist is now attempting to make a comeback to competitive wrestling after nearly 20 months away from the mat.

However, the Wrestling Federation of India issued a 15-page show-cause notice declaring her ineligible to participate in sanctioned events until at least June 26, 2026. The decision effectively ruled her out of the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament being held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

Reacting to the development, Sakshi Malik appealed to the government and the wrestling federation to give Vinesh an opportunity to compete through trials and prove herself once again.

“I request my Prime Minister, Sports Minister, and the Wrestling Federation to allow Vinesh’s trials. She can still win medals for the country and make India proud,” Sakshi said.

She further emphasised that Vinesh’s return could inspire women athletes across the country, particularly mothers who wish to continue pursuing sports at the highest level.

“It would set an example that even after becoming a mother, women can continue to play for the country, win medals and bring glory to India,” Sakshi added.

The Olympic medallist also criticised the manner in which the rules were implemented, alleging that international federations often support women athletes returning after motherhood, while Indian athletes face additional hurdles.

“I can give many examples where sports federations in other countries make rules easier for women athletes so they can continue playing after becoming mothers. But here, such rules are being enforced just days before Vinesh’s comeback attempt,” Sakshi said in a video shared on social media.

Despite being declared ineligible by the federation, Vinesh arrived at the Senior National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda and met WFI officials. She maintained that both the International Testing Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency had cleared her to return to competition from January 1, 2026.

Vinesh also stated earlier that she had undergone multiple doping tests after receiving clearance and had returned negative results in all of them. She argued that she had not violated any anti-doping rules and deserved a fair chance to compete again.

The controversy has now sparked wider debate in Indian sports circles over athlete welfare, transparency in federation rules and the treatment of women athletes attempting to resume their careers after motherhood.