Amid ongoing protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Sharan Bhushan Singh, remarks from PT Usha has come as a shock for many.

Indian Olympic Association’s president PR Usha criticised the wrestlers for their protests.
According to her this is now how athletes should behave and if their plight is real then they should go to athletes commission.

She also said that sit-in agitation by wrestlers at Jantar Mantar has brought bad publicity to the country and this is quite demeaning.

While speaking to reporters she said, “IOA has an athletes commission in place. Instead of hitting the streets, these wrestlers should’ve come to us. The athletes should be disciplined. If their problems were real, they should’ve come to our athletes commission. What they are doing is not good for the image of the country. Hitting the streets is not good for Indian sports.”

Shocked by her comments many renowned athletes reacted to it.
Vinesh Phogat expressing her disappointment said, “I am deeply shocked to hear such comments from a legendary athlete like Usha mam. We grew up idolising her and respecting her achievements. She was a role model to us. She has herself been a female athlete with such a distinguished career. How can she not understand the plight of female sportspersons who have been demanding justice and spending nights in the open sky. If she can’t respect our sentiments, we shouldn’t be respecting her. If she wants respect from us, she should also show respect towards the wrestlers’ cause. Her comment today has deeply disturbed me.”

Such comments coming from a celebrated athlete has appalled those who are fighting to protect women against such critical issues.

Source: TOI