New Delhi: The govt has lifted the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), transferring control of the sports body to Sanjay Singh, a close associate of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexually harassing women grapplers.
The decision preceded India’s wrestlers’ participation at the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan from March 25-30. Absence from the continental tournament would have resulted in Indian wrestlers being barred from competing at the senior World Championships, scheduled in Zagreb from September 13-21.
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“In view of the findings of the spot verification committee, the compliance measures undertaken by the WFI, and in the larger interest of Indian sports and athletes, the ministry of youth affairs & sports hereby revokes the suspension of the WFI issued vide order of even number dated 24.12.2023 and restores its recognition as the national sports federation (NSF) for wrestling with immediate effect with following directions,” read the sports ministry’s order.
The ministry had suspended the federation on December 24, 2023 for “blatantly disregarding the procedural norms and appearing to be in complete control of former office-bearers” following its controversial elections. Later, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a three-member ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI which was subsequently disbanded.
In its office order, the ministry spelt out directions for the smooth functioning of the WFI. “The WFI must revert the amendments carried out during the suspension period and have a balance of power among the designated office bearers and provide checks and balance in the decision making process and this process should be completed in 4 weeks.”
“Any person who is not elected as an office bearer, as also the suspended/terminated salaried officials of the WFI must remain completely disassociated from the federation and its affiliate units. The EC of WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks. Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including the action under the sports code.
“The WFI must ensure that selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard along with regulations issued from time-to-time by the UWW,” the order read.
