Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has voiced strong support for Vinesh Phogat, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to allow the wrestler to compete and make a comeback in international events. Vinesh, who recently welcomed a baby boy and then reversed her retirement decision, is aiming to return to wrestling after almost 20 months. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has deemed Vinesh “ineligible” for any competitions until at least June 26, 2026, barring her from the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
Sakshi Malik has called for Vinesh to be given a fair chance by conducting trials, emphasizing the importance of supporting female athletes returning to sports after motherhood. She highlighted the contrasting approaches of sports federations globally in facilitating such comebacks, citing instances where other countries have more supportive policies for athletes in similar situations. Despite the ban, Vinesh participated in the Senior National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, citing clearance from the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to resume competition from January 1, 2026.
Sakshi Malik’s plea for fair treatment and opportunities for female athletes like Vinesh Phogat underscores the need for supportive policies that enable women to excel in sports even after motherhood. She emphasized the importance of setting examples that empower women to continue their athletic careers post-motherhood and contribute to the nation’s sporting success.
