WFI chief Sanjay Singh
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry on Tuesday has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). It allows the organisation to organise domestic tournaments and select national teams for international competitions. Also, it gives the control of the sports body to WFI president Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former WFI chief and BJP MP accused of sexually harassing women athletes.
The ministry had suspended the federation on December 24, 2023. The suspension came for the quick announcement of the Under-15 (U-15) and Under-20 (U-20) National Championships. The choice of venue for National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda – the stronghold of Brij Bhushan Singh had rattled the government.
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The Ministry in its order said, “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 Wrestling Federation of India (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.”
The order has also cited certain directions for WFI to follow. These are:
- 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 further added that, the federation shall “ensure adherence to the Sports Code, principles of good governance, and athlete welfare policies.”
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Following suspension, Ministry had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the national sport federation.
On December 21, 2023, Sanjay Singh-led panel had won the WFI elections. Singh, UP Wrestling Association vice-president from Varanasi, secured 40 votes against his rival and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran.
