Sakshi Malik urges PM Modi, sports minister to allow Vinesh Phogat's comeback
Synopsis
Sakshi Malik's public appeal to PM Modi and the sports minister marks a rare intervention by an Olympic medallist in federation politics. At stake: whether Indian wrestling will bend its rules to let Vinesh Phogat return after motherhood—or whether the WFI's June 2026 ban stands as a cautionary tale for female athletes considering family.
Key Takeaways
Sakshi Malik , Olympic bronze medallist, appealed to PM Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to allow Vinesh Phogat to compete.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) declared Vinesh ineligible until at least 26 June 2026 , barring her from the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda .
Vinesh was disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024 , took a break after welcoming her son in July, and is now seeking a comeback after nearly 20 months .
International Testing Agency (ITA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cleared Vinesh to return on 1 January 2026 .
Sakshi criticized the timing of the WFI ban and highlighted how global sports federations make rules easier for mothers returning to sport.
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene and permit wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in sanctioned tournaments, clearing the way for her return to international wrestling after nearly 20 months away from the sport.
Vinesh, who stepped away from wrestling following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, welcomed her son in July and subsequently reversed her retirement decision. She is now preparing for a competitive comeback, but faces a significant hurdle: the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has declared her "ineligible" to participate in any sanctioned competitions or events until at least 26 June 2026.
The eligibility ban and its scope
The 15-page show cause notice from the WFI bars Vinesh from competing in the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament, which began on Sunday in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Despite the ban, she reportedly showed up at the tournament and stated that both the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had cleared her to return to competition on 1 January 2026.
Sakshi's call for intervention
In a video posted on social media, Sakshi directly appealed to the top leadership: "I request my Prime Minister, Sports Minister, and the Wrestling Federation to take Vinesh's trials so that they can also win medals for the country and make the country proud." She framed the matter as a test case for enabling female athletes to return after motherhood.
The global disparity argument
Sakshi highlighted what she described as a stark contrast between international and domestic sports governance. "I can give many examples where sports federations of other countries make rules easier for their players, so that even after becoming a mother, women can play for the country and win medals," she said. "Whereas our federation implements such rules two days before, so that Vinesh cannot make a comeback." Her statement underscores broader concerns about how Indian sports bodies support female athletes navigating motherhood and career continuity.
What's at stake
The dispute centres on whether Vinesh should be granted an exception or early clearance to compete, given that international anti-doping bodies have already certified her fitness to return. The timing of the WFI's ban — announced shortly before the Gonda tournament — has drawn criticism as procedurally unfair. A resolution from the sports ministry or federation could reshape how Indian wrestling handles athlete reintegration after life events.
Point of View
But it collides with WADA and ITA clearance issued months earlier—a coordination failure that punishes the athlete. More fundamentally, the episode signals that Indian wrestling has not yet reconciled how to treat female athletes who become mothers. Other federations globally have solved this; India's wrestling body has not. If the ministry does not intervene, the message is clear: motherhood remains a career risk in Indian sports.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Wrestling Federation of India ban Vinesh Phogat from competing?
The WFI issued a 15-page show cause notice declaring Vinesh ineligible to compete in sanctioned events until at least 26 June 2026. The exact grounds for the ban are not detailed in the notice, but it appears linked to her earlier retirement announcement following her Paris Olympics 2024 disqualification and her subsequent reversal of that decision.
When can Vinesh Phogat return to wrestling according to international bodies?
Both the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cleared Vinesh to return to competition on 1 January 2026. This clearance predates the WFI's June 2026 ban, creating a conflict between domestic and international timelines.
What tournament did the WFI ban specifically exclude Vinesh from?
The ban bars Vinesh from the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament scheduled in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, which began on Sunday. Despite the ban, she reportedly showed up at the tournament.
Why did Sakshi Malik publicly appeal on Vinesh's behalf?
Sakshi highlighted a broader issue: Indian sports federations do not support female athletes returning after motherhood as effectively as global counterparts do. She framed Vinesh's case as a test of whether India can enable mothers to remain competitive athletes, calling on PM Modi and the sports minister to intervene.
What is Vinesh Phogat's current status in wrestling?
Vinesh stepped back from wrestling after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. She welcomed her son in July and reversed her retirement decision in early 2026. She is now seeking a competitive comeback after nearly 20 months away, but faces the WFI eligibility ban until June 2026.
