Wrestlers protesting former WFI president Brij Bhushan plan to launch rebel pro league in November New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia and his wrestler wife, 2018 Gold Coast CWG medalist Sangeeta Phogat, two of the biggest names in the iconic sit-in protest against former National Wrestling Federation (WFI) president and sexual harassment accuser Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, are gearing up to host a rebellious International Wrestling Federation this November. Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!The professional league will be called the ‘Orka Wrestling League’ and is likely to feature other famous wrestlers who are part of the exciting group to face Brij Bhushan, including two-time World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik and 2016 Commonwealth champion Satyawart Kadian, among others. Bajrang, who will helm the league as Chief Wrestling Officer (CWO), told TOI in an interview that eight global franchise teams will participate in the nearly month-long inaugural edition, which is tentatively scheduled to start around November 20. “Yes, it is true, we (Bajrang and Sangeeta) are organizing our own international league. It will start from November this year. Registration of wrestlers will start in August and we will have an IPL-style auction in late September or early October. All the wrestling fraternity is welcome The siblings are participating in the league. It will be a grand event and there will be huge sponsorship money for the winning team and the wrestlers. The first edition is likely to be held in a major city in India and we will announce it soon,” said Bajrang, a four-time world championship medalist. “We are not worried about what the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) thinks about our league. The federation is running its own league, the Professional Wrestling League (PWL). They are recognized by national federations and global sports body UWW. But our league is a global event and India has a huge influence. If the WFI wants to view our league from a competitive perspective, or as a direct challenge to the PWL… then so be it. They can’t stop us from running our league. Several Indian wrestlers have contacted us and expressed their desire to compete. Our doors are open to everyone. Our alliance provides professional-level recognition and financial security. Let Brij Bhushan or Sanjay Singh (current president of WFI) think whatever they want,” he added. A senior WFI official told TOI that the federation is aware of the development and will soon issue directives to the country’s wrestlers, who have joined the WFI and become part of the national body, to avoid dealing with “unsanctioned and illegal” federations. “We will take appropriate action when the time comes. Let Bajrang or Sangeeta form this alliance.” This is an unsanctioned and illegal league. PWL is the official league supported by WFI. We will warn our coaches, technical officials and referees not to have any association with this league. ” the official said. According to Bajrang, the total capital required to buy a team is around Rs 4 crore. “Each team will have a total of 12 wrestlers, six men and six women, all of whom will compete in Olympic weight classes. First, the league will begin with men’s and women’s freestyle events, with Greco-Roman events added later. The men’s competition events are 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Women’s athletes will compete in the 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76kg categories. There are eight international teams. US-based Orka Sports is the main stakeholder. We (Bajrang and Sangeeta) work with them. Sangeeta has joined as director of women’s wrestling and athlete welfare,” he said. Each wrestler will be drawn into an auction pool. Wrestlers will be divided into four classes – Class A being the highest, followed by Classes B, C and D. The highest base price for Class A is $35,000, followed by $25,000 (Class B), $15,000 (Class C), and $6,000 (Class D). Bajrang said that he himself will not participate in the league because he is the CWO of the league and a member of the organizing committee. Bajrang also faces a four-year ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) for refusing to provide a urine sample during the national team selection trial in Sonepat on March 10, 2024. He was suspended for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) on November 26, 2024, with the suspension period ending in November 2028. He has challenged the ADDP’s decision to the Nada Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (ADAP) and the matter is currently pending. team:
- Atlas Titan (USA)
- Indra Warrior (India)
- New Tokyo Dragons (Japan)
- TrueNorth Titans (Canada)
- Vanguard of Liberty (Cuba)
- Britannia Brawlers (UK)
- Rio Rombre (Brazil)
- Arab Titan (Middle East)
The truth about “Owl”:
- eight franchises
- Purse of Rs 4 Crore per Franchise’
contract:
- Class A – $35,000
- Class B – $25,000
- Class C – $15,000
- Class D – $6,000
