Wrestling Federation of India: Following the second suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India in 2023, the Indian Olympic Association is once again planning to establish an ad hoc committee to supervise activities at the WFI. India Today has been informed that the IOA will establish a new ad hoc committee on WFI within the next 48 hours. It will oversee the daily operations of WFI. The management of WFI will be assumed by the ad hoc committee.
Sports Minister’s Letter to IOA
The ad hoc committee was formed after Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote to the IOA. Remarkably, an ad hoc committee also presided over the WFI earlier this year. “Since Wrestling is an Olympic sport and WFI is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association (IA) and taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI. This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organisations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on the part of 10A to make suitable arrangements for the interim period for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopardised,” the letter from the Sports Ministry to the IOA read.
Immediate Request for Ad-Hoc Committee
“In view of the above, it is requested that an Ad-Hoc Committee may be constituted by the IOA to manage and control the affairs of WFI, as per the defined role of NSFs in the National Sports Development Code of India-2011, including the selection of athletes, making entries for the participation of sportspersons in international events, holding of sporting activities, etc. with immediate effect, until further orders,” letter added. In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, December 24, the Sports Ministry suspended WFI. The ministry contended that former office holders, who were suspended following accusations of sexual harassment, continued to have influence over the recently elected board, which Sanjay Singh was leading.
Wrestlers’ Rebellion Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Beginning in early 2023, when a number of the nation’s best wrestlers rebelled against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the WFI saga began. After the wrestlers disclosed terrifying stories of intimidation and harassment, the Indian Olympic Association and Sports Ministry suspended the board that was in place at the time. Following months of waiting, Sanjay Singh was chosen to succeed Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as WFI president. The wrestlers took offence at this, claiming that Sanjay was Bri Bhushan’s right-hand man and business partner, and that nothing had really changed at the WFI.
Unveiling the Junior National Level Championships in Gonda
The junior national level championships being held in Gonda starting on December 28 were revealed by former wrestler Sakshee Malikkh. Following this, the sports ministry released a statement stating that it was against the law for the WFI to hold the championship without providing the state federations with a 15-day notice. The ministry suspended the current body with the statement. Top WFI sources, however, told India Today that they would not be content to watch and would instead file a case in the Delhi High Court to overturn the ruling.
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