Exclusive | Was Shocked to Hear About Notice, Says Babita Phogat

Babita Kumari along with 14 wrestlers were axed by the WFI from the national camp due to ‘indiscipline’.

“We should have at least been informed before action was taken,” said Babita Kumari after she and 14 other wrestlers, including her sister Geeta Phogat, were axed from the national camp by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh cited their unexplained absence from the camp as reason behind the ouster.

Three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Babita, however, thought it was unfair on the part of the federation to issue a show-cause notice before communicating the same to the wrestlers.

I had no information about this until I read about it from the media. It is the duty of the federation to ask us why we’re not attending the camp before issuing something like this. I got to know through the media and was shocked.

Babita Kumari to The Quint

Furthermore, a furious Babita questioned this sudden move by the federation, claiming that it wasn’t the first time girls weren’t attending a national camp. In fact, she said no action was taken when less than half the girls were not attending the camp before the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

I had also attended the camp before the Commonwealth Games. And I can tell you that out of the 50 girls that were supposed to be there, only 10-15 were present. How come the federation didn’t take any action then.

Babita Kumari to The Quint

Babita, who is recovering from injuries to both her knees, said that the facilities at the national camp were not good enough and that she wanted to complete her rehab in a place where she was assured of full recovery.

I know how it is at the camps, I have attended many in the past. The doctors and facilities are just not good enough. This is not a small injury. I’ve had it for a while and that’s why I wanted to recover in a place where I was sure I would get better.

Babita Kumari to The Quint

Geeta and Babita, along with their younger siblings Ritu and Sangeeta were ousted from the ongoing national camp in Lucknow. However, Babita said that move was not justified as her younger sisters – Ritu and Sangeeta – were awaiting their visas to take part in a training camp in Russia. Babita said that the visas had been applied for by the federation themselves while WFI has reportedly claimed to have no knowledge of the same. The eldest of the Phogat sisters, Geeta, however told The Quint that this entire episode is the result of a big misunderstanding.

(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to TheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit send.)