The Indian Sports Ministry has suspended the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India until further notice. Mired in controversy for months, WFI recently elected Sanjay Singh, aid to outgoing President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the new President
Indian wrestling continues to be mired in controversy. Only a couple of days after the election of Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Sports Ministry on Sunday announced that the national body has been suspended till further orders. (Sports News)
In an official release, the ministry said that the announcement for national competitions was hasty and that due process was not followed. It's pertinent to mention that the newly-elected officials on Friday requested the world governing body (United World Wrestling) to lift the ban imposed on it and also announced that it will host the senior National Championships from January 28 in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar.
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"Such decisions (holding nationals) are to be taken by Executive Committee, before which agendas are required to be placed for consideration. As per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading 'Notices and Quorum for Meetings', minimum notice period for EC meeting is 15 clear days and quorum is of 1/3rd of representatives. Even for Emergency EC meeting, minimum notice period is 7 clear days with quorum requirement of 1/3rd of representatives," reports quoted the ministry saying in its press release.
New President Sanjay Singh had wasted little time in announcing that the Under-15 and Under-20 Nationals would be taking place before the end of the year 2023 in Nandini Nagar, Gonda, the stronghold of his aid Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.
"This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.
"As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee," said a ministry's source to PTI.
Wrestling, with its deep-rooted connection to Indian tradition, continues to hold special importance in society, often elevating the practionaries -- both wrestlers and trainers (gurus) -- to positions of respect. But of late, the sport has been hogging the limelight for all the wrong reasons. And probably the most damaging episode was revealed earlier this year when female wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment. Their small protest hit global headlines, and earlier this week, Sakshi Malik -- the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in women's wrestling -- announced her retirement, saying wrestlers will continue to suffer even under the new regime.